Strange?

I was recently reminded of a photographer that I researched at college. She was a slightly strange artist whose work revolved around abnormal things...Diane Arbus.

According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, "The subjects of Arbus photos often stood alone, separate from the world, almost as icons of divergence from the norm. Even though Arbus was widely criticized for her take on her art, she actually felt her photos were lyric and tender and called her subjects "aristocrats." To me, it almost seems unfair to single people out for being 'different', and penalizing them for their slight differences. However, this sense of differentiation makes a very interesting series of work - ranging from a giant to a boy with down syndrome. Arbus often referred to her subjects as 'circus acts', however did treat them all with great respect and made sure they were comfortable in their situation. 

Arbus' work was often known as a 'freak show', but if it was, why was it so popular? It drew the audience in because it was something completely different to what people had seen before. She used a special camera that produced square shaped images and often her subjects look sad, conflicted or physically abnormal - but they do not try to hide their insecurities; they openly stare at the camera. One art expert said Diane Arbus turned photography inside out because instead of looking at her subjects, she made them look at her. Arbus learned to mix the realistic nature of photography with its other possibilities. She explored how people live with sameness and difference as well as rejection and acceptance. These combinations created very interesting art that was often disputed by fellow artists and photographers.


I for one find her work both interesting and inspiring. Although it does show a different range of people than usual photographers, I think that the world needs to see this to accept that there are lots of different people out there. People need to see a variety of different people before they completely accept that everyone varies. Arbus lets the people stay in their own environment, making them feel welcome and involved with her work, which I think is really important. To have a good relationship between photographer and subject is one of the most important things you can have in the art world, as I mentioned in a previous post. 

"A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know."