Product Description

Tina Modotti and Edward Weston travelled to Mexico in 1923 at the start of an extraordinary period of artistic creativity that became known as the Mexican Renaissance. Although often perceived as being principally embodied by the politically motivated work of Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and JosŽ Clemente Orozco, the Mexican Renaissance was shaped by the contribution of dozens of artists, both Mexicans and expatriates, and gave rise to an exceptionally hospitable environment for innovative art-making. The work Modotti and Weston made in the 1920s marks the beginning of a Modernist photographic aesthetic that left an indelible mark on the history of photography in Mexico. Each contributed to this history individually: Modotti is known for beautiful still-lifes that gave way to Modernist images of Mexican workers and poetic revolutionary icons. Weston's Pictorialist-influenced imagery was abandoned in favour of sharp, clear, 'straight' photographs and an engagement with form. Also included in this exquisitely produced book is a selection of images by two Mexican photographers, Manuel çlvarez Bravo and Mariana Yampolsky, whose work was influenced by these two foreigners.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #346058 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

About the Author
Sarah M. Lowe is an independent art historian, based in New York.

Customer Reviews

the pursuit of form
We take it for granted now: the ability of a photograph to go past the 'whatisit'stage and to celebrate pure form. This is so much a part of our world that it has become a staple in advertising and a cliche in photos of the nude.
So it's easy to forget that formalism was once a radical idea that steered photography away from pictorialism and into a truly modern sensibility. It's also easy to forget that it's not easy to carry off a true celebration of form: it requires technique so perfect that it disappears.

Edward Weston was both a pioneer and a master of formalism in black and white photography and this book represents his early efforts. Tina Modotti, whose more passionate work may have a shorter shelf-life is more easily seen in connection with the symbolism of Diego Rivera and Frieda Kahlo.
Both artists are well-presented in this lovely book.

Lynn Hoffman author of bang BANG: A Novel