RIGHT THERE IN BLACK AND WHITE

Attended a private viewing of LISETTE MODEL & HER SUCCESSORS at the Aperture Foundation last night. This over sized and, for the most part, mediocre show is up in the Foundation's gallery until November 1st and coordinates with the re-issue of two large Model catalogues.

The first thing one is struck by is the monochromatic presentation: black and white photos on grey walls. The only color pictures are two muddyish, over sized head portraits by Gary Schneider (does any other artist these days struggle so hard at showing us just how ugly we humans are?). Who really comes out shining in this show is Peter Hujar: These photos just gain more grace and beauty as they themselves begin to age. The other standout to me were Larry Finks pictures. Its taken me some time to be won over by this photographer, but as I studied the varied selection of prints taking up a whole wall, I couldn't help but notice the strong sense of humanity that runs throughout his work; no matter where he is shooting, we get a sense of our fragility as humans and our dependency on each other. And how often does that happen these days?

Don't forget to check out the lovely little Model photo of Billie Holiday in her coffin!!