The Radical Camera: New York's Photo League, 1936-1951

About this book

An in-depth look at the influential Photo League whose blend of aesthetics and social activism advanced modern photography Artists in the Photo League active from 1936 to 1951 were known for capturing sharply revealing compelling moments from everyday life. Their focus centered on New York City and its vibrant streetsa newsboy at work a brass band on a bustling corner a crowded beach at Coney Island. Though beautiful the images harbor strong social commentary on issues of class child labor and opportunity. The Radical Camera explores the fascinating blend of aesthetics and social activism at the heart of the Photo League tracing the groups left-leaning roots and idealism to the worker-photography movement in Europe. Influenced by mentors Lewis Hine Berenice Abbott and Paul Strand artists in the Photo League worked within a unique complex comprising a school a darkroom a gallery and a salon in which photography was discussed as both a means for social change and an art form. The influence of the Photo League artists on modern photography was enormous ushering in the New York School. Presenting 150 works of the members of the Photo League alongside complementary essays that offer new interpretations of the Leagues work ideas and pedagogy this beautifully illustrated book features artists including Margaret Bourke-White Sid Grossman Morris Engel Lisette Model Ruth Orkin Walter Rosenblum Aaron Siskind W. Eugene Smith and Weegee among many others. Published in association with The Jewish Museum New York and Columbus Museum of Art Exhibition Schedule: The Jewish Museum New York (11/06/11-03/25/12) Columbus Museum of Art (04/19/1209/09/12) Contemporary Jewish Museum San Francisco (10/11/12-01/21/13) Norton Museum of Art Palm Beach (03/15/1306/16/13)