Photography at MoMA: 1960 to Now

by Eva Respini (Text by), Roxana Marcoci (Editor), David Campany (Text by), Quentin Bajac (Editor), Sarah Hermanson Meister (Editor)

Overview

"The Museum of Modern Art has one of the greatest collections of 20th-century photography in the world. As one of three volumes dedicated to a new history of photography published by the Museum, this publication comprises a comprehensive catalogue of the collection post-1960s and brings much-needed new critical perspective to the most prominent artists working with the photographic medium of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. At a moment when photography is undergoing fast-paced changes and artists are seeking to redefine its boundaries in new and exciting ways, Photography at MoMA serves as an excellent resource for understanding the expanded field of contemporary photography today.
The book begins with an in-depth introduction followed by eight chapters of full-color plates, each introduced by a short essay. Over 250 artists are featured, including Diane Arbus, John Baldessari, Jan Dibbets, Rineke Dijkstra, William Eggleston, Lee Friedlander, Louise Lawler, Zoe Leonard, Helen Levitt, Sigmar Polke, Cindy Sherman, Wolfgang Tillmans, Jeff Wall, Carrie Mae Weems, Hannah Wilke and Garry Winogrand, among many others."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780870709692
Publisher:	The Museum of Modern Art
Publication date:	10/27/2015
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	657,114
Product dimensions:	12.30(w) x 9.80(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Quentin Bajac is former Joel and Anne Ehrenkranz Chief Curator of Photography at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

David Campany is an artist, writer and reader in photography at the University of Westminster, London.

Noam M. Elcott is Assistant Professor in the Department of Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University, New York.

Lucy Gallun is Assistant Curator in the Department of Photography at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Roxana Marconi is Senior Curator in the Department of Photography at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Sarah Hermanson Meister is Curator in the Department of Photography at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Eva Respini is Barbara Lee Chief Curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, and a former Curator in the Department of Photography at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Robert Slifkin is Assistant Professor of Fine Arts at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University.

Editorial Reviews

What draws you into the book is the sheer variety of visual surprises, from iconic shots to obscure gems. A book worthy of personal and collegiate libraries.

Popular Photography on Campus

A Who's Who of the contemporary masters of the form.

American Photo

In publishing three volumes of photography history from its collection, The Museum of Modern Art in New York has decided to disrupt the traditional narrative.

The New York Times

In publishing three volumes of photography history from its collection, The Museum of Modern Art in New York has decided to disrupt the traditional narrative.

The New York Times

02/01/2016
Two titles explore the history of photography through the holdings of their respective institutions. Photography at MoMA: 1960-Now is the first of a projected three-volume history, as told through the holdings of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) photography department. MoMA curators chose to begin the series in reverse chronological order, with contemporary photography appearing first, to assert their institution's fundamental commitment to living artists. Chief curator of photography Bajac's introductory essay explores the work of past curators whose contributions have greatly shaped our understanding of the art form's history and aesthetics. The essay is exceptional for the way it engages in self-criticism, discussing the museum's response to external forces that moved it to evolve its exhibition and acquisitions policies, especially in regard to work that expands photography beyond its traditional boundaries. This title, and the entire series, will make more accessible numerous works from MoMA's significant collection, many not frequently on view. The Altering Eye (in conjunction with the exhibition Celebrating Photography at the National Gallery of Art) showcases its collection of 15,000 photographic works, especially strong in influential figures Alfred Stieglitz, Walker Evans, Robert Frank, and Paul Strand. Senior curator Greenough's excellent lead essay relates how photography gained acceptance in museums as the medium matured and became synonymous with modernity. This volume, beautifully illustrated by the images in the National Gallery's collection, does a wonderful job of delivering the main contours of photography's history. Entries by Greenough's associate curators offer insight into how the medium (its making, subject matter, and look) evolved as photographic technology changed. "In Focus" essays on the life and work of notable photographers provide details about the gallery's holdings of each artist's work. VERDICT Although some might hunger for more behind-the-scenes information about curators' acquisitions discussions and exhibition planning, these handsome and informative books are nonetheless highly recommended for helping readers understand their institutions' immense contributions to photography.—Michael Dashkin, New York

Library Journal