Misc Files: See Spots

Walter Vogel photo of Pina Bausch, 1966

From time to time, I actually clear my computer desktop. Inevitably, I end up with loose images that I file in a folder labeled “Misc” Sometimes, when I go back into my "misc files," I find that affinities have formed.

Vintage Japanese stencil (eBay)

Bemelmans Bar mural detail

Photo by Kim Wood

Original gouache design for lace (eBay)

Servant bell board at Searles Castle, Great Barrington (L. Eckstein photo)

"Dot Fantasy" by Paul Rand

Design for Dutch archeology stamp by Walter J. Nikkels

Leather stamping tools (eBay)

A conservation analyst from the Israeli Antiquities department examines fragments of the 2000-year-old Dead Sea scrolls at a laboratory in Jerusalem. AFP PHOTO/MENAHEM KAHANA. Artdaily.org

Bela Csikos Sessia, Study for the Wake, 1896

 Modern Gallery, Zagreb (L. Eckstein photo)

This photo of MC Escher with his set of nested Platonic Solids shows up in many places, but no one has cited an original source (as in where the picture was originally printed, or who the photographer was, as opposed to which Flickr or Pinterest account it was grabbed from).

Letters From a Photo Auction

Aaron Siskind (1903-1991)

"Lithuanian Store"
Silver print, 1957

The items in the upcoming auction, “The Vernacular Eye: Photographic Albums, Snapshots & Objects” are on view now at Swann Galleries until the sale on April 17. In addition to photos of spiritual apparitions, chain gangs, and early aviation, you’ll find albums of criminal mug shots, advertising photography and photo objects.

If you’ve ever considered collecting, say, photos about typography, this would be a great place to start.

Berenice Abbott (1898-1991)

"Jacob Heymann Butcher Shop, 345 Sixth Avenue"

Silver print, 1938

Walker Evans (1903-1975)

Bowery lunchroom, New York, New York.

Silver print, 1933-34

Georgia moonshiner from collection

of "Hooch" vernacular.

Silver prints, 1960s

William Klein (1928-)

"William Klein New York 54/55"

Portfolio of 12 silver prints, 1954-55

Yasushi Nagao (1930-2009)

Death of Inejiro Asanuma.

Silver print, 1960

This Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph shows the death of Asanuma, a Japanese politican and leader of the Socialist party. He was assassinated by an extremist nationalist while speaking in a televised political debate. His violent death was seen in graphic detail on national television, causing widespread public shock and outrage.

Ralph Steiner (1899-1986)

"Typewriter Keys"

Silver print, 1921-22

Nat Fein (1914-2000)


"Babe Bows Out"

Silver print, 1948

Photo album of window displays for Kleinhans Co., 

Buffalo, NY, 1919-26.

Post-Victorian vernacular photograph

Bromide print, circa 1910

No typography here, but I refuse to be constrained, even by my own self-selected topics.

Brimfield Outing

Yes, I've been holding out on my visit to Brimfield this year. 

It took quite a bit of restraint, but I managed to not buy this trio of black & white photos.

Also, I remembered to bring sunblock and a hat. So all in all, I considered the day a great success. I promise to post what I did buy as soon as I take photos In the meantime ...

This cow's head at one time graced a now demolished meat market in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

This binder was one of at least five journal/scrapbooks maintained by one diligent traveler.

I didn't make it up to Brimfield last year, but I did in 2011. You can read all about my first time in posts here and here.

My Week With Marilyn: AAF, AIPAD, SVA

The photo hanging at AAF is Dream in Color by Richard Heeps.

It will probably be a while (like a few hundred years) before she outdoes the Virgin Mary for ‘most-depicted woman in art,’ but you can be sure that wherever there is an abundance of contemporary art and photography, you will find images of Marilyn Monroe. While the ratio of Marilyn-per-hundred-images might vary by venue, I think you’d be hard pressed to visit an art fair and not see her.

The 'Marilyns' here were sighted during last week’s alphabet-soup of visual events—AAF, AIPAS, SVA.

AAF Affordable Art Fair

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the artistic interpretation of a cultural icon. The sphere, is a recurring motif in the work of Belgian artist Tigi Van Gil. The collage portrait below is by Marius.

AIPAD Association of International Photography Art Dealers

The gorgeous Bert Stern portraits of Marilyn were at Staley-Wise Gallery

David Winter , whose inventory is absolutely astonishing, had a wonderful photo of Marilyn and Clark Gable (must have been Misfits). The above photo of her swimming was on his website.

SVA D-Crit School of Visual Arts, Design Criticism

Ms. Monroe even made a surprise appearance at the SVA D-Crit lecture by British critic and photographer Rick Poynor. She graced one of three covers he showed of J.G. Ballard’s The Atrocity Exhibition.

The Antiques Garage  TAG?

No shortage of Marilyn here.

Found Fashion Snaps

It’s Fashion Week in NYC--as good an excuse as any to run these anonymous snapshots from eBay. Gone are the identities and any personal connection to the subjects. The clothing has taken over as subject matter, much as an old car or landmark might.

This girl might very well be showing off a creation of her own, as these popular circle skirts were often homemade. Here's one for sale on eBay now!

Sure, it was junior's bar mitzvah, but mom was not

about to be upstaged.

Man after man promised they would make

her a famous movie star, and she

always believed them.

The Princess Di look to a tee.

Clearly, about to make the scene ...

Career gals

Wonderful button passages.

There was a time when young girls weren't allowed

to wear animal prints or black.