Exhibit/Art Institute, or don't toss your duds!

[SolaresLarrave]

Does the name Art Sinsabaugh ring a bell with any of you, guys? If so, you can celebrate: the Art Institute of Chicago has a special exhibit of his landscape work. Click on the link I provided and then go to the Indiana University for a good look at his Midwestern Landscapes.

I was looking at his Chicago Landscapes, and suddenly I realized that the value this shots may have lies in their documentary quality (most of them were done in the 60s, before the construction boom Chicago saw in the 70s and 80s). Hence, if you have some "duds" from your hometown... don't dismiss them too quickly! Who knows? 😕 Maybe the upteenth RFF book will be titled "Historical Shots," and it'll include some quirky images we didn't think much in the beginning.

Take a look at the Sinsabaugh photos!

As for me, Roger and out! 🙂

 

[Gordon Coale]

That's a name I haven't heard in years. Thanks. Great pictures!

 

[Doug]

Hmmm, interesting, Francisco! I've heard/read the name long ago, good to see his work (again?). He did some square format street photography early on, clearly, but then proceeded to extreme panoramic proportions with emphasis on the horizon line, excluding as much foreground and sky as possible. And his commentary on the process... reminiscent of Weston's "dayboooks"!

I think you're right, too, on the documentary nature of the work. Almost always signs of human endeavor, but the people in his "portraits" are dwarfed to insignificance by their surroundings. Not "pretty" work either.

A lot of moments in time seem the same, undistinguished. Change may then seem to happen suddenly, as when you realize an old movie theater building has been replaced by a new hotel. And then you regret you hadn't earlier taken a few shots of the theater...

Or maybe it hits you the opposite way when looking through some old prints, and you come across fascinating shots that could not be made today... and you're glad you did. 🙂

 

[don sorsa]

Francisco - Thanks for the note. I work across the street (and down the block) from AIC and this reminder will help me remember to go there tomorrow, the free day, to check out the exhibit.

Don

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Don, you must have a beautiful view from your office window...

How about the Millenium Park? Checked out the "Bean" already?

 

[don sorsa]

Francisco - I have an excellent SP view of an alley: fire escape, shadows, bricks, peeling paint, lots of "texture" and character but nothin' green or millenial... I always take lunch (and my bessa) outside, often within shooting distance of the (in)famous Bean but I still haven't taken a decent shot of it...

Don

 

[oftheherd]

Interesting photos Francisco. Thanks for posting the link.