Speaking of Art:
John Szarkowski on John Szarkowski

Prior to accepting the position of Director of the Department of Photography at the Museum of Modern Art in 1962, John Szarkowski had already received two Guggenheim fellowships for his own photography, had been given exhibitions at the Walker Art Center, the George Eastman House, and the Art Institute of Chicago, and had published two books of his photographs – The Idea of Louis Sullivan and The Face of Minnesota.

During his tenure as a Director at MoMA, he redefined the world’s understanding of the art of photography and established himself as one of the giants of 20th Century art history. Over this 30 year posting he made no effort to exhibit or publish his own work. As he wryly comments in this lecture, “I am unique among photographers in that I have an Early Period and a Late Period – but no Middle Period. I hope to rectify that.”

Now Director Emeritus, John Szarkowski has returned his sole focus to the making of pictures. Here in this lecture, he applies his iconic intellectual rigor and razor wit to the work of the photographer he might know best of all – himself. But most of all, he reveals again, this time through the intimate discussion of his own work, that his love for photography in all its potential is unparalleled.

D V D   F E A T U R E S   I N C L U D E:
• 60 minute lecture with high resolution scans of slides
• Slideshow with image title and date
• Bibliography of relevant publications by John Szarkowski

E X E C U T I V E   P R O D U C E R:   Edgar B. Howard
P R O D U C E R   &   E D I T O R:   Tom Piper
C A M E R A:   David W. Leitner & Tom Piper
C O L O R,   2 0 0 5