Diane ArbusBy: Jennifer Karr

Background

Born on March 14, 1923 From New York Middle child of 3 (1 brother, 1 sister) Jewish Wealthy Shy

Education

Ethical Culture School Fieldston School Alexey Brodovitch’s workshop

(unsuccessful) New School- Lisette Model’s class

› first mentor› helped identify her desired path

Romance

Met Allan at age 14 Parents did not approve Secret meeting for 4 years Married April 10, 1941

About work

Freaks Central Park, New York City, nudist

camps, carnivals Leica Rolleiflex Square Frame Mamiya C33 Flash gave exposed and vulnerable

look Pentax

Work

Father gave first job Account with Russeks Furs- fifth avenue

department store Allan and Diane Arbus studio Diane- style Allan- technical

Work

Esquire Magazine (nightlife of NY): “The Vertical Journey”- first major magazine

assignment 2nd mentor: Marvin Israel

› Supported and pursued ideas› Which photograph to choose from contact sheet› Introduced her to influential people› Director of Harpers Bazaar

Sunday Times Magazine, Nova, Vogue, Glamour

Show, Sports Illustrated & New York Times

Unsuccessful work

Nude photographs of actor Viva Lawsuit (later dropped) Viva felt misled and lied to Lost over a million dollars “Recent Acquisitions”

› Early photographs› spit on photographs

“New Documents” freak› Modern photography

Exhibited work Museum of Modern Art “Recent Acquisitions” “New Documents” ArtForum published portfolio

› pictures of mentally retarted at a home in Vineland

Venice Biennale› Contemporary art exhibition every 2

years

“New Documents” A Young Man in Curlers at Home

Confrontational Strong reaction

› Spit

The Jungle Creep After viewing

movie called “Freaks” which featured “midgets, pinheads and dwarfs”

Flea circus

The Marked Man

306 tattoos Swore not to

reveal whereabouts

Jewish Giant

Eddie Carmel Made famous by

photo Mother’s reaction

Child With a Toy Hand Grenade

Mime Impatience

Awards

Guggenheim Fellowships to pursue private work

Robert Levitt Award for outstanding achievement› Taught classes and workshops› Gave lectures

End of Life

1968- hospitalized with Hepatitis Loosing strength and independence Depression Divorce Closing of Arbus studio Suicide (depression and need for

money)

Posthumous Work

Museum of Modern Art Around United States and Europe Metropolitan Museum of New York

› “Diane Arbus Revelations”› Overview of life work› Acceptance of work began

Why She Appealed

Risk taker of “different work” Not easily accepted Tough life

Continues to Appeal

Late acceptance Changed the way we identify each

other as human beings Combine exaggerated with personal

Works Cited

http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/arbus-diane

http://www.biography.com/people/diane-arbus-9187461

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/arbus.html?c=y&page=1