Joseph Cornell

Artist #7: Joseph Cornell

Cornell's collage work of found objects within these frames is incredibly fascinating. In many ways, collage is very similar to what I'm interested in with analog photography similar to the works of Jerry Ulsmann. It also reminds me of Georges Melies' fantastical films from the late 1890s to early 1910s. My favorite of Cornell's is Tilly Losch. Not only does it evoke a surrealist imaginary quality that I am so attracted to, but there is a clear sense of realistic depth between the background and the chosen objects.

Joseph Cornell. Tilly Losch. Mixed media. c. 1935

Joseph Cornell. Mixed media.

Recommended to me by Cory Peeke.

George Tooker

Artist #6 George Tooker

The magic realist and social realist painter, George Tooker, definitely intrigues me. I love films like Amélie and Midnight in Paris where, despite that the setting in both films appears realist contemporary, have an inherit magical element or quality. Tooker's paintings are the same. My favorite is the last image I posted of the old woman and her young reflection. I also am amazed by the intense eeriness evident in his paintings, a true anxiety and uneasiness.

George Tooker. Government Bureau. Egg Tempera. 1956.

George Tooker. The Subway. Egg Tempera. 1950.

George Tooker. Egg Tempera.

Recommended to me by Jessica Plattner.

Duane Michals

Artist #5 Duane Michals

     Duane Michals is a very interesting photographer. Though many of his works don't resonate with me, there were a few that I found particularly interesting mostly because they remind me so much of Georges Méliès' films. The idea of using in-camera techniques to trick the viewer with fantastical illusionist images is very fascinating to me. In fact, I'd like to try out some of these techniques for an Independent Study.
     It's interesting to me that Michals wasn't recommended to me for this purpose. I had expressed an interest in "decisive moment" photography as previously discussed. And though in my opinion, Michals' photographs are staged, he does put his subjects in a sealed "moment" by writing (by hand) beneath the print. One image I had found a few weeks ago but can't find now is of Michals and his wife on their bed embracing with writing below it expressing proof that she had loved him once.

Duane Michals. Magritte with hat. 1965.

Duane Michals. Joseph Cornell. 1972.

Duane Michals. Dr. Duanis' Famous Magic Act. 1996.

Duane Michals was recommended to me by Cory Peeke and Mike Sell.