On The Street: 1980 - 1990
Back of the Book
Between 1980 and 1990, over five hundred of photographer Amy Arbus's impromptu and edgy portraits of New Yorkers appeared in the Village Voice's monthly fashion feature, "On the Street." The column's mission was to document the city's most adventurous trendsetters as they lived their lives. But Arbus's photographs tell much more than a style story. From the friendliest to the grittiest, every one of these images is a potent tribute to self-expression. Taken as a whole, they reflect an era of contradictions, a time in America when urban individualism and raw creativity were courageously fighting for breathing room and holding their own in a culture ruled by wealthy conservatism and Republican politics.
We Love It Because
The storytelling through Amy Arbus’s images radiate a deep contribution within notions of observation and documentation. Brewing an air of anticipation amongst city dwellers hoping to come into contact with Arbus’s lens, the art of portraits extended cultural significance- differing from high art/the gallery world. We deeply value the authenticity embedded in each capture, challenging structures of style and inviting us to engage with icons of the street.
Memorable Passage
She holds the world in a full embrace-gleeful, delighted, enthralled. For Amy, the world is a place full of possibilities-her enthusiasm of all variations of humanity brings people forward and out of themselves-she is an ambassador of sorts, exuding an idiosyncratic, joyful, wide-eyed innocence. And although she has seen a lot-she is never jaded, always entertained.
About Amy Arbus
Amy Arbus is a distinguished American photographer whose work has significantly contributed to the realm of portraiture, capturing the essence of individuals in unique and compelling ways. Born in 1954, Arbus comes from a notable artistic lineage, being the daughter of acclaimed photographers Diane Arbus and Allan Arbus. Building on this legacy, she has developed her own distinctive style marked by a keen eye for detail, a sensitivity to human expression, and a commitment to authenticity. Her iconic portraits, often featured in publications like The New Yorker and The New York Times Magazine, showcase an ability to capture the essence of her subjects with intimacy and depth. Amy Arbus is worth knowing not only for her technical mastery but also for her contribution to the evolving landscape of contemporary portraiture, where her images stand as poignant reflections of the diversity and complexity of the human experience.
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