A pondering of ‘hums’ to go on show

Studio 54, New York City, May 1977, printed 1983 (detail), Silver gelatin print, 16 x 20 inches, Larry Fink (1941- ) American

     (PNAN-IA) – Opening Friday, March 4 at the Des Moines Art Center, “Off Guard: Street Photography from the Permanent Collection” is an exhibition where such artists as Harry Callahan, Larry Fink and Gary Winogrand records the non-known, run-of-the-mill people in a speechless ponder, hum, candid, yet the visual tells a different tale or somewhat common thought of what if while in a same or mixed social atmosphere.

    Once said by  Susan Kismaric, Curator of Photography at the Museum of Modern Art, “Fink’s photographs provide the opportunity to study a gesture, a smile, a surreptitious glance, even the sweat on an arm or a wrinkle of skin – comprising a kind of desire, sensuality, disappointment, or ennui. They record the tension between one’s keenly felt public identity and the inner exigencies of the emotional psyche.” For over 45 years, Larry Fink has not only been a professional photographer, but also has had solo shows in major museums and galleries around the globe. In addition, he also holds claims to many educational honors. A more complete at www.larkfinkphotography.com

     Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1912, Harry Morey Callahan is a self-taught photographer, who formed associations with some of the bests, including Todd Webb as well as was inspired by Ansel Adams to take his work on an earnest path. In one of his many steps, he did in 1946 when he began to teach at the Institute of Design in Chicago. Years later, Callahan moved to Rhode Island and formed and taught a photography program at the Rhode Island School of Design.      In 1999, Callahan passed in Atlanta, but he left behind 100,000 negatives and over 10,000 proof prints. The Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona maintains his photographic archives and his estate is represented in New York by the Pace/MacGill Gallery.

     In 1984 at age 56, Gary Winogrand died of gall bladder cancer, leaving nearly 300,000 unedited images and more than 2,500 undeveloped rolls of film. After his passing, selective images have been shown and published in a Modern Museum of Art exhibit catalog, “Winogrand, Figments from the Real World.”

     He has been noted for the depicting American life social issues of the early 1960s. Along with his 35mm Leica camera with a set wide angle lens, he walked the streets of New York taking photos of movement, which also has given him recognition for his unique visual style with wit. Educationally, Winogrand studied at City College of New York, Columbia University and the New School for Social Research.

     Remaining on view through May 22 in the Blank One Gallery, for more information see www.desmoinesartcenter.org.