This two-story collection of works by various artists, though relatively small, provided great insight into the many practices and purposes of photography. With exhibitions displaying styles including portraiture, archival photographs, and short film, the International Center of Photography did well to give the visitor a good sense of the importance and value of the photograph, be that importance historic or intrinsic.
The first collection I encountered upon entering the museum was that of Barbara Bloom. I felt her work dealt primarily with the concept of materialism, having various photographs being presented with accompanying objects of furniture. This, for me, provided an interesting perspective on her imagery, for seldom does a viewer have a tangible reference with which to view and analyze a photographers’ work. I found the method by which she chose to display her underlying theme both interesting and innovative.
Heading down the stairs past the Bloom showing led me to the “Archive Fever” exhibition, which explored the uses of the document in contemporary art. Portions of this exhibition weighed heavily on history, particularly war and its effect on the individual. Parts of this exhibition were simply difficult to look at, as some photographs did very well in their presentation of the individual consequence of what would normally be perceived as national tragedy. In this respect, I found the work of Fazal Sheikh to be incredibly captivating. His series of images presenting outstretched hands holding images of loved ones really epitomized the terrible feelings of loss and isolation that are experienced by those who suffer from the horrible outcomes of war.
My visit to the International Center of Photography left me with somewhat of a greater appreciation for the medium of photography and its ability to capture and convey both emotion and time in such a profound manner that other mediums fail to deliver.
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