Richard Avedon farewell

Ask the young people today about the Beatles - they could care less.

Tom Phillips wrote:

wrote:

A lot of his portraits were a con though. He used to "trick" subjects into
giving him the most grotesque poses.

So what? Artist's vision and discretion...

I think you've just summed it up. Avedon is more of a "historical" member of
the '60s counter-culture "scene" and that's how he'll be remembered. He was
part of a movement where the artist trancended the art.

That's an opinion, not a vaild historical assessment. Your
comment is like saying the Beatles will only be remembered
for Beatlemania and the 60's social revolution they created
-- a rock group who "transcended" their art. But that's not
true at all. In fact they continue to influence all the modern
music we hear and likely Avedon influences a great many
photographers.

Reminds me of the critic (who now no one remembers)
who said the Beatles would only be remembered for
the song "yesterday," or the critics who said Ansel Adams
was merely a postcard photographer...

wrote:

Ask the young people today about the Beatles - they could care less.

I know quite a few aspiring musicians in their early to mid twenties that listen to
almost anything the Beatles produced. They remain an influence, at least in Southern
California.

Similar in the way that the photographers of the past still influence the newer
aspiring professionals. Just because time passes, should not diminish the influence
of those who made a mark in their respective fields.

As for Avedon, I gained a bit more interest after reading an article in Black Book
magazine just under a year ago. The article was a conversation he had with a famous
architect, who was designing a special bed and master bedroom for Avedon. The odd
thing I remember about the article was that he felt that the bed would be the last
one he would own.

I don't personally think Avedon was spectacular in the way that he used a camera,
unless you count how many decades he was active as a photographer. What I do get an
impression of about him, was that he had a way with people. He seems to have been
well liked by his subjects, and those he worked with . . . I suppose that is
something we could learn from him.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
http://www.allgstudio.com

wrote:

Ask the young people today about the Beatles - they could care less.

I know quite a few aspiring musicians in their early to mid twenties that listen to
almost anything the Beatles produced. They remain an influence, at least in Southern
California.

Similar in the way that the photographers of the past still influence the newer
aspiring professionals. Just because time passes, should not diminish the influence
of those who made a mark in their respective fields.

As for Avedon, I gained a bit more interest after reading an article in Black Book
magazine just under a year ago. The article was a conversation he had with a famous
architect, who was designing a special bed and master bedroom for Avedon. The odd
thing I remember about the article was that he felt that the bed would be the last
one he would own.

I don't personally think Avedon was spectacular in the way that he used a camera,
unless you count how many decades he was active as a photographer. What I do get an
impression of about him, was that he had a way with people. He seems to have been
well liked by his subjects, and those he worked with . . . I suppose that is
something we could learn from him.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
http://www.allgstudio.com

wrote:

Ask the young people today about the Beatles - they could care less.

Yep. And then play them a song -- "Yesterday" or "Penny Lane" or "Sgt.
Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" or "Norwegian Wood" or even "I Wanna
Hold Your Hand", and see if they don't recognize it, the way most of us
will recognize Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's music even if we don't know
it's his, the way the opening them from "Aida" is the most recognized
piece of music on Earth even though most who recognize it can't recall
the title or composer on hearing it.

They may not care about it, but they can no more forget it than they
could forget their own names, and for similar reason -- they've heard it
from birth. It's so intimately a part of their being they can't be
separated from it.

I don't know if I could put Avedon in the same class with the Beatles --
but it's probably an apt comparison; there are influences that will last
forever even when the names that go with them are forgotten, and his
might well be one of those.

--
I may be a scwewy wabbit, but I'm not going to Alcatwaz!
-- E. J. Fudd, 1954

Donald Qualls, aka The Silent Observer
Lathe Building Pages http://silent1.home.netcom.com/HomebuiltLathe.htm
Speedway 7x12 Lathe Pages http://silent1.home.netcom.com/my7x12.htm

Opinions expressed are my own -- take them for what they're worth
and don't expect them to be perfect.

wrote:

Ask the young people today about the Beatles - they could care less.

Yep. And then play them a song -- "Yesterday" or "Penny Lane" or "Sgt.
Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" or "Norwegian Wood" or even "I Wanna
Hold Your Hand", and see if they don't recognize it, the way most of us
will recognize Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's music even if we don't know
it's his, the way the opening them from "Aida" is the most recognized
piece of music on Earth even though most who recognize it can't recall
the title or composer on hearing it.

They may not care about it, but they can no more forget it than they
could forget their own names, and for similar reason -- they've heard it
from birth. It's so intimately a part of their being they can't be
separated from it.

I don't know if I could put Avedon in the same class with the Beatles --
but it's probably an apt comparison; there are influences that will last
forever even when the names that go with them are forgotten, and his
might well be one of those.

--
I may be a scwewy wabbit, but I'm not going to Alcatwaz!
-- E. J. Fudd, 1954

Donald Qualls, aka The Silent Observer
Lathe Building Pages http://silent1.home.netcom.com/HomebuiltLathe.htm
Speedway 7x12 Lathe Pages http://silent1.home.netcom.com/my7x12.htm

Opinions expressed are my own -- take them for what they're worth
and don't expect them to be perfect.

wrote in message ...
Ask the young people today about the Beatles - they could care less.

Non sequitur. Ask them about Edward or Bret Weston. Ask them.
about Gershwin, or any of the great classical composers. Ask
them where Bahrain is or what's it middle eastern significance is.
Ask them to name a 19th century president other than Washington,
Jefferson, or Lincoln. Ask them....

The point being the general ignorance and apathy of Gen-Xer's
raised on MTV who think their right to drink beer is a significant
reason to protest on college campuses is hardly an argument
defining the historical or artistic significance of anything or anyone.
Your opinion on Avedon is just your opinion.

Tom Phillips wrote:

wrote:

A lot of his portraits were a con though. He used to "trick" subjects into
giving him the most grotesque poses.

So what? Artist's vision and discretion...

I think you've just summed it up. Avedon is more of a "historical" member of
the '60s counter-culture "scene" and that's how he'll be remembered. He was
part of a movement where the artist trancended the art.

That's an opinion, not a vaild historical assessment. Your
comment is like saying the Beatles will only be remembered
for Beatlemania and the 60's social revolution they created
-- a rock group who "transcended" their art. But that's not
true at all. In fact they continue to influence all the modern
music we hear and likely Avedon influences a great many
photographers.

Reminds me of the critic (who now no one remembers)
who said the Beatles would only be remembered for
the song "yesterday," or the critics who said Ansel Adams
was merely a postcard photographer...

Please, let's not raise the Beatles up to historical significance. They were a pop
group that wrote a few good songs - nothing more. And I'm sure I can come up with some
kids that will not recognize any Beatle song you put on the turntable, oh I mean the CD
player - wasn't their stuff re-issued on CD?

Tom Phillips wrote:

wrote in message ...
Ask the young people today about the Beatles - they could care less.

Non sequitur. Ask them about Edward or Bret Weston. Ask them.
about Gershwin, or any of the great classical composers. Ask
them where Bahrain is or what's it middle eastern significance is.
Ask them to name a 19th century president other than Washington,
Jefferson, or Lincoln. Ask them....

The point being the general ignorance and apathy of Gen-Xer's
raised on MTV who think their right to drink beer is a significant
reason to protest on college campuses is hardly an argument
defining the historical or artistic significance of anything or anyone.
Your opinion on Avedon is just your opinion.

Tom Phillips wrote:

wrote:

A lot of his portraits were a con though. He used to "trick" subjects into
giving him the most grotesque poses.

So what? Artist's vision and discretion...

I think you've just summed it up. Avedon is more of a "historical" member of
the '60s counter-culture "scene" and that's how he'll be remembered. He was
part of a movement where the artist trancended the art.

That's an opinion, not a vaild historical assessment. Your
comment is like saying the Beatles will only be remembered
for Beatlemania and the 60's social revolution they created
-- a rock group who "transcended" their art. But that's not
true at all. In fact they continue to influence all the modern
music we hear and likely Avedon influences a great many
photographers.

Reminds me of the critic (who now no one remembers)
who said the Beatles would only be remembered for
the song "yesterday," or the critics who said Ansel Adams
was merely a postcard photographer...

wrote in message
...
Please, let's not raise the Beatles up to historical significance.

It's not up to us, and besides you are too late. The Beatles have already
made history, become part of it. No take-backs.

In article , wrote:

Please, let's not raise the Beatles up to historical significance. They were
a pop group that wrote a few good songs - nothing more.

Not about to waste time arguing with a troll mentality...

And I'm sure I can
come up with some kids that will not recognize any Beatle song you put
on the turntable, oh I mean the CD player - wasn't their stuff
re-issued on CD?

Tom Phillips wrote:

wrote in message
...
Ask the young people today about the Beatles - they could care less.

Non sequitur. Ask them about Edward or Bret Weston. Ask them.
about Gershwin, or any of the great classical composers. Ask
them where Bahrain is or what's it middle eastern significance is.
Ask them to name a 19th century president other than Washington,
Jefferson, or Lincoln. Ask them....

The point being the general ignorance and apathy of Gen-Xer's
raised on MTV who think their right to drink beer is a significant
reason to protest on college campuses is hardly an argument
defining the historical or artistic significance of anything or anyone.
Your opinion on Avedon is just your opinion.

Tom Phillips wrote:

wrote:

A lot of his portraits were a con though. He used to "trick"
subjects into
giving him the most grotesque poses.

So what? Artist's vision and discretion...

I think you've just summed it up. Avedon is more of a "historical"
member of
the '60s counter-culture "scene" and that's how he'll be remembered.
He was
part of a movement where the artist trancended the art.

That's an opinion, not a vaild historical assessment. Your
comment is like saying the Beatles will only be remembered
for Beatlemania and the 60's social revolution they created
-- a rock group who "transcended" their art. But that's not
true at all. In fact they continue to influence all the modern
music we hear and likely Avedon influences a great many
photographers.

Reminds me of the critic (who now no one remembers)
who said the Beatles would only be remembered for
the song "yesterday," or the critics who said Ansel Adams
was merely a postcard photographer...

--
Tom Phillips

In article , wrote:

Please, let's not raise the Beatles up to historical significance. They were
a pop group that wrote a few good songs - nothing more.

Not about to waste time arguing with a troll mentality...

And I'm sure I can
come up with some kids that will not recognize any Beatle song you put
on the turntable, oh I mean the CD player - wasn't their stuff
re-issued on CD?

Tom Phillips wrote:

wrote in message
...
Ask the young people today about the Beatles - they could care less.

Non sequitur. Ask them about Edward or Bret Weston. Ask them.
about Gershwin, or any of the great classical composers. Ask
them where Bahrain is or what's it middle eastern significance is.
Ask them to name a 19th century president other than Washington,
Jefferson, or Lincoln. Ask them....

The point being the general ignorance and apathy of Gen-Xer's
raised on MTV who think their right to drink beer is a significant
reason to protest on college campuses is hardly an argument
defining the historical or artistic significance of anything or anyone.
Your opinion on Avedon is just your opinion.

Tom Phillips wrote:

wrote:

A lot of his portraits were a con though. He used to "trick"
subjects into
giving him the most grotesque poses.

So what? Artist's vision and discretion...

I think you've just summed it up. Avedon is more of a "historical"
member of
the '60s counter-culture "scene" and that's how he'll be remembered.
He was
part of a movement where the artist trancended the art.

That's an opinion, not a vaild historical assessment. Your
comment is like saying the Beatles will only be remembered
for Beatlemania and the 60's social revolution they created
-- a rock group who "transcended" their art. But that's not
true at all. In fact they continue to influence all the modern
music we hear and likely Avedon influences a great many
photographers.

Reminds me of the critic (who now no one remembers)
who said the Beatles would only be remembered for
the song "yesterday," or the critics who said Ansel Adams
was merely a postcard photographer...

--
Tom Phillips