A unique and important photographic "portrait" of Mexico at a critical point in its history, as seen through the eyes of a supremely gifted master of photography. This exhibition is comprised of over a hundred photographic works, including vintage prints; previously unseen documents rel... Read more
A unique and important photographic “portrait” of Mexico at a critical point in its history, as seen through the eyes of a supremely gifted master of photography. This exhibition is comprised of over a hundred photographic works, including vintage prints; previously unseen documents related to Strand’s work in Mexico during both his 1932–34 trip to Mexico and a second journey in 1966; first editions of Photographs of Mexico and its 1967 reissue, The Mexican Portfolio; a presentation of Strand’s classic film Redes (1936); and set photographs by Ned Scott during its filming in Veracruz.
In search of a fresh start, Strand traveled to Mexico City in late 1932 at the invitation of Carlos Chávez, the eminent Mexican composer and conductor. The work he created during this key period reflects of time of intense productivity, creative renewal, and the evolution of Strand’s foundational idea of the “collective portrait,” in which he depicted a region through photographs of individuals, still lifes, and studies of architecture and religious subjects.
