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Aaron Siskind
Pleasures and Terrors of Levitation

1953

About the Item

One of Siskind's most famous and memorable photographs. He set a whole genre amongst photographers with this image. This mid-space shot where the sky is white turns this image into a piece that operates on a few levels. Its about form and motion. And it is about metaphor for that can be open to interpretation. Aaron Siskind was a prominent American photographer known for his significant contributions to abstract photography. Initially a teacher and documentary photographer, Siskind transitioned to abstraction in the 1940s, inspired by the abstract expressionist movement in painting. In his later career, he focused on capturing the details of weathered surfaces, such as walls, graffiti, and peeling paint. These close-ups transformed ordinary objects into visually compelling abstract compositions, emphasizing texture, form, and the passage of time. While abstraction became his hallmark, Siskind's figurative photographs remain a significant part of his oeuvre, offering insight into the breadth of his artistic versatility and his commitment to documenting the human condition through the lens of his camera. Siskind's work played a crucial role in elevating photography to the status of fine art. His exploration of abstraction and emphasis on the expressive potential of photography influenced subsequent generations of photographers. Today, Aaron Siskind is celebrated for his innovative approach and his impact on the evolving perception of photography as a form of artistic expression. The photographs size inside the mat is 13 5/8 x 13 7/8. It comes from a great private collector who acquired many Siskind photos and it may be an earlier print than what we have indicated below. This example was printed circa 1980s
  • Creator:
    Aaron Siskind (1903-1991, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1953
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 21.25 in (53.98 cm)Width: 16.25 in (41.28 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    condition is good and no issues to note. The frame might have some very negligible scuffs from wear over time.
  • Gallery Location:
    Greenwich, CT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1413213783542
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