Photographic output from three
famous Americans, the writer William S Burroughs (1914-1997), the film director
David Lynch (b. 1946) and the painter, filmmaker and colourist Andy Warhol
(1928-87) is exhibited on three floors of The Photographers’ Gallery. Although
they were/are not known for their still photography, the black and white
photographs of these artists offer an insight into their creativity and
success.
William S. Burroughs was one of the most influential American
writers of the last century. However he was also a prolific photographer, who
took thousands of black and white photographs. Of the 100 or so featured here,
many reveal fragments of his life with particular reference to his time in
Tangier. There is no sign of a theme running through this collection, just
fragments of a life spent on the edge (Burroughs was a heroin addict), which
perhaps reflect his unconventional writing style and approach to his writing.
Whilst those familiar with and interested in Burroughs’ literary output will
probably find much to study and relate to his work, the photographs, with their
lack of structure or common theme, left me rather cold. Nevertheless, one or
two stood out including the untitled photograph, circa 1972, (see below) of broken wire with the top of a grimy
building in the background.
"Untitled": William S Burroughs
David Lynch is the American director of films such as “Blue Velvet”
and “Mulholland Drive”. The visual language of his films is often described as
moody and enigmatic and these words accurately describe the series of dark and
atmospheric photographs of the interiors and exteriors of industrial buildings,
many abandoned and decaying, that are featured in this exhibition. In stark
contrast to the work of Burroughs, there is a clear theme to what was obviously
a serious project, undertaken in various locations around the world including
England and Poland (see below).
The brooding, melancholic
atmosphere of Lynch’s works is further enhanced by the accompanying soundtrack,
which Lynch produced himself. Whilst professional reviewers have expressed a
preference for the works of Burroughs or Warhol in these exhibitions I found
the attention to detail, the range of perspective, the stylish and imaginative
compositions, the integrity and the overall dark atmosphere of Lynch’s work
made this exhibition a clear personal favourite of the three.
Industrial Scene,
Lodz (Poland): David Lynch
Andy Warhol is perhaps the best known of the three artists. Many of
his now famous works rely on photographs (usually taken by others) and he was
possibly the leading exponent of the use of photographic imagery in art in the
1960s and 1970s. The photographs on display here were taken in the last decade
of his life and document many aspects of that life, including street scenes in
New York, celebrity parties and portraits of his many friends and acquaintances.
As with Burroughs there is a wealth of interest for students of Warhol and “The
Factory”, as well as of the times that he lived through. Some photographs, such
as the multiple, variously under-, correctly and over-exposed portrait of the
model Jerry Hall demonstrate his continuing interest in serial and repeated
imagery, whilst others appear to be merely snapshots of everyday life.
Some of Warhol’s photographs,
taken using a pocket Minox camera that he purchased in 1976, make social
comments that are relevant to the times that he lived in (in particular to the
development of the throwaway, consumer society which we still inhabit) but, as
we might expect from somebody for whom “non-posed” photography was essentially
a hobby, no clear theme emerges from his photographs and there is no obvious
sign of photographic (as clearly opposed to artistic) creativity in his work.
This exhibition should appeal to
a wide variety of viewers. Many will welcome a further insight into the
workings of the inventive minds of the artistic “greats”, Burroughs and Warhol,
and a look at different and previously hidden aspects of their daily lives.
However, I was most impressed by the photographic output of David Lynch, an
integrated, sophisticated, creative and very visual project which, enhanced by
the accompanying sound installation, creates a strong mood and provides
inspiration.
Learning Points,
Future Work and References:
I took inspiration from the
brooding, black and white, urban imagery of David Lynch. In my view his prints present
a story in which “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts”. I can learn
lessons for my major project work, both from his use of angles, shades of grey
and perspective to create atmosphere and by considering his prints as a “story
board” with a common theme.
William Burroughs: http://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/the-photography-of-william-s-burroughs
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