I was so excited to hear of this exhibition. Drawn to the title and location I kept it on my radar. Well one rainy/snowy First Saturday in December I made it and enjoyed the conversation amongst friends and strangers alike. The exhibition curated by Gail Buckland spans Rock & Roll images by Rock & Roll photographers from 1955 to present.
Let me begin by saying that my first impression was Love in Chaos, of course. Loved the photography but thought some of the images presented were chaos/chaotic for me … Why? because they weren’t Rock in my thinking of what Rock music is until seeing Chrissie Hynde’s quote recently
My pamphlet from the exhibition had not been tossed and kept floating out of bag changes, from behind reading material, and even peeped out from the bottom of my closet. So I guess it was just time for me deal with this exhibition the best way I know how, write a little something…
There were so many people there on this particular First Saturday that we (my two traveling buddies Mike and Rusell) were unable to view each piece but made a promise to return because our snarky reactions were audible and may have been quite unnecessary as well. You see, when observing the spectrum of the photography, that chaotic itch to start a music debate begins but when you pull back, you realize Ms. Buckland’s exhibition was about the PHOTOGRAPHERS, well then dialing down becomes a necessity. And now the boys can stop their Team Rolling Stone Team Beatles debate …
In revisiting the exhibition as it closed January 31, 2009, I was able to achieve a better stroll early in the day and had the opportunity to absorb the mostly Rolling Stone photographers’ work. I believe it is important to put the magazine in the forefront only because they were/are the main source of all things rock in that popular music media sense of documentation. They’re also the innovators of the genre’s documentation. So with that in mind, I felt that Ms. Buckland was at the mercy of the photographer’s submissions rather than the subjects of Rock themselves. Actually I am guessing. It was the first impression I got and am sure there was much more to effort put forth than that.
Many of the photographers were selected by the bands /artists (touring, promos, album covers etc…) as noted in the portrait section of the exhibition. These were THE most intimate shots on display in my opinion. You could see how relaxed the artists were in the images. The trust factor could not be denied.
My reasoning for my thinking that the curator was at the mercy of the photographer’s submission cames from the raised eyebrow reactions including my own from the following iconoclastic but not necessarily Rock images, including album covers of: Marvin Gaye, Isaac Hayes, Madonna, Smoky Robinson, Mary J. Blige, Justin Timberlake, Salt~n~Pepa, Biggie, Tupac, Jay-Z, Puffy, and Amy Winehouse to name a few. The flow of traffic stopped at many of these sightings for full fledged discussions and debates. Maybe a section labeled Rock & Soul or Rock influenced behavior or Rock Star status would have lowered the brow. Run-DMC’s presence due to their commercial success with the Aerosmith collaboration of Walk This Way was right on target. Now that’s rock, to me and I remember the time and debates of that time vividly. HOT!
There were so many young people in attendance on this closing Sunday morning and afternoon that over hearing parent’s re-living their youth and views/reactions to the images, it became a priceless experience. Some had no clue who were in the images others had volumes to share. The passion music creates is endless. Have you ever tried to engage in a best album of all time discussion? If not, try it. It can be more exhausting and or frustrating than a climax-less experience…I’m just saying.
The video installation of Grace Jones’ One Man Show had been moved from the previous visit, to the main hall of the floor from the back room. Good move!, because the crowds were way too thick for that tiny back room. Some bump and grinds are sometimes truly inappropriate, particularly at the museum and definitely on the 4 train.
I’m left wondering if it would have been more feasible to format the exhibition groupings on the photographers rather than the images. I don’t necessarily need to be spoon fed but if this exhibition is about the photographers wouldn’t it have made more sense to enlarge their names on the placards? OK, it’s not about my needs, I get it.
I am thrilled I had the opportunity to re-visit the Brooklyn Museum on the morning it was closing as this time I actually took pen and a pad to take names with me for further knowledge. First up Ed Caraeff’! At the time of his now famous photograph of Jimi Hendrix he was 17 years old and was advised by an elder to save the roll of film he had taken of the yet unknown Hendrix. The shot is spectacular and happened to be shot number 36 on the roll. I love back stories that stick with me!
Jimi Hendrix - Ed Caraeff
Then there were the images from Hipgnosis and Storm Thorgerson that had me taken for quite some time as they mix mediums beautifully. Click this link http://photos.thefirstpost.co.uk/assets/library/090523bigpic_2–124300870985028500.jpg to see the original shot inspiring the cover for 10cc’s How Dare You 1975-6.
How Dare You 10 cc album cover
Storm Thorgerson’s photo was on display and spoke volumes to me due to the communications issues that are still relevant today. Because, to some degree I love seemingly chaotic scenarios. Please notice how everyone is right next to each other yet they prefer to pick up the phone to talk. Funny, that’s how I feel about texting today…
Albert Watson’s Jagger Leopard image is stunning to me. The back story in short is Mick wanted to be shot with a leopard in the convertible he was to drive but the animal wasn’t cooperating enough to get the shot so Albert Watson decided to merge what I think was only one of the three full frontal shots of the leopard ‘s face with Mick’s…Love in Chaos!
Check it -
Mick Jagger - Albert Watson
There was also a very intimate image of Elvis which has lingered. It was a back stage kiss that made you just want to reach for your honey and… Look, I am no Elvis fan, but this was about the photographer Alfred Wertheimer. ROCK! Or is that SOUL? Hmm?
There is just too much to mention, I am only here to share my experience and also hope that this Brooklyn Museum pamphlet will stop following me around now.
That’s my time for now except for one last image which is still missing from the exhibition, in my mind , and that would be images or the photographers for Fishbone. Dang these brothers can not buy a break … Still.
Yeah I am aware that the Cure and The Who weren’t represented either. I get it. Jim Marshall’s Johnny Cash’s middle finger image is though … Rock & Country?
I love life, and its artistry comes from all corners of our existence, there’s still so much to learn, observe, feel, and anticipate… Thanks Gail Buckland and Brooklyn Museum for stirring the pot that is Rock & Everything …
Check the museum’s link – http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/rock_and_roll/index.php
And Thanks to you for stopping through today for the most recent Love in Chaos episode … that I’ve shared …
