"In May 1971, Artforum, bastion of late modernism, featured the work of a photographer for the very first time. On its cover and in a six-page spread, it published selections from Diane Arbus's portfolio, A box of ten photographs. In the words of the magazine’s editor and photography skeptic, Philip Leider, “The portfolio changed everything . . . one could no longer deny [photography’s] status as art.” At the time of Arbus’s death, two months later, only four of the intended edition of fifty had been sold. Two had been purchased from Arbus by Richard Avedon (the first for himself, the second as a gift for his friend Mike Nichols); another was purchased by Jasper Johns; and a fourth by Bea Feitler, art director at Harper’s Bazaar."
Presumably Arbus had no gallery representation (did any photographer back then?) and the flyer for the portfolio refer potential purchasers (who had a $1000) to call at her home at 463 West Street, NY.
Diane Arbus: A Box of Ten Photographs from Aperture Foundation on Vimeo.
Presumably Arbus had no gallery representation (did any photographer back then?) and the flyer for the portfolio refer potential purchasers (who had a $1000) to call at her home at 463 West Street, NY.
Diane Arbus: A Box of Ten Photographs from Aperture Foundation on Vimeo.