Fort Worth Foto Fest: Avedon's "In the American West" w/Ted Forbes

3501 Camp Bowie Blvd.,Fort Worth TX 76107

13 May, 2023

Description

The Fort Worth Foto Fest, in cooperation with the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, is proud to present a special presentation on Richard Avedon's "In the American West", hosted by Ted Forbes from "The Art of Photography" Mr. Forbes will be discussing the impact of Avedon's art on the medium of photography, and specifically his 1979 commission from the Amon Carter, "In the American West". As many are aware, Richard Avedon was a celebrated fashion and portrait photographer accustomed to working with celebrities, models, and politicians. But when commissioned by the Carter, he undertook a very different project: photographing a range of people throughout the western U.S. When the exhibition of this work opened in 1985, many found it disparaging: The New York Times thought Avedon had “an artistic vision of the American West as purgatory, if not hell, on earth,” and Art in America asserted that the artist portrayed it “as a blighted culture that spews out casualties by the bucket.” This is not what Avedon said, though; he called In the American West “a tribute” to working-class westerners who lived hard lives. Since then, it has become one of the most important photographic projects of the 20th century, and the Carter owns one of only two complete sets of the images. We look forward to seeing you at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art on May 13th. Please be sure to visit The Art of Photography on YouTube As always, support your local museums: Admission to the Amon Carter is always free.