Vivian Maier

The Chicago nanny and closet street photographer about whom I posted in 2009, is now set to have a posthumous exhibition of her work at the Chicago Cultural Centre. There's a short (10 min) film about her from Chicago Tonight here (via), which consists mainly of an interview with John Maloof, the man who now owns most of her negatives - roughly 100,000. Maloof's Vivian Maier website is here.

One thing that becomes clear is that she was no ingenue. She had a considerable library of photography books. She knew what she was doing, and she knew the tradition she was working in.

This, for instance, in the spirit of Diane Arbus:

 

Here, Henri Cartier-Bresson: 

 

Robert Frank, perhaps:

 

or even Weegee, on the rare occasions when he pointed his camera away from night-time crime scenes to take a look at New York's old money as seen from below:

 

Not that I think she was just copying. She clearly had a wonderful eye. There are many straightforward urban portraits like this, which to me at least have their own...integrity, for want of a better word:

 

Here's Maloof appealing for funds to finance a film about Maier. The inevitable question arises about Maloof's involvement, and the extent to which he may be exploiting Maier's legacy. Then again, why not? She's dead, and for whatever reason showed no interest as far as we know in making her work public when she was alive. There's some discussion at the Metafilter post.

Comments

[John Grabau]

just saw the story on CBS News (Saturday).

I am a veterinarian but very visual and I can relate to haveing thousands of photos that nobody has ever seen.

best wishes, john_

[Cathy]

I too just saw the story on CBS News (Saturday). What a wonderful story!!! Beautiful work!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Cathy

[Tim C]

What an interesting story. Reminds me of some of Walker Evans photos.

[Sue M]

Watching this story now on PBS channel 11 Chicago. Very interesting story.