Lillian Bassman

Lillian Bassman – fashion photographer (that’s one of her photos above, apparently):

To quote my entire family (and this should be said all as one word in a completely apathetic voice):

“Nevahhoidofuh.”

Not until now – read this interesting profile of her in The New Yorker – and I’m kind of taken with those images. I’m not a big fashion photographer person – but I can certainly recognize that there is something special (and also influential) about these photos.

Like this lusciousness I love:

Gorgeous!

That top photo reminds me of one of my favorite current-day photographers – Ellen von Unwerth. I don’t know why her stuff is so fascinating to me, and so interesting – she does blurry images, kind of grainy – and when she photographs a celebrity, she usually makes them roll around in a crumpled bed, she musses them up so they look rumpled and sexy. One of my secret fantasies (well, duh, not secret anymore – amelie – ha!! I added this comment before seeing yours!!) is to be photographed by Ellen von Unwerth. I just like how she SEES people, and I have a couple of her books. I would bet that Unwerth was totally influenced by Bassman – a lot of her stuff has the same “Oh, I’m just running out the door in my fabulous gown, and that’s why I’m blurry” look.

Anyway – it appears that the Staley Wise Gallery is doing a Bassman exhibition (check out more of the images here).

Also, I know I’ve just discovered this photographer – so these are all first impressions – but in the New Yorker profile, she says “I lost my mind to the elongated figures of El Greco.” (Who doesn’t, frankly.) But just knowing that about her – I can see his influence in those photographs, the girls with the swan necks, the oddly contorted positions, and yet the strange sense of grace.

Oh look. I just Googled Ellen Von Unwerth – only to find that the Staley Wise Gallery did a showing of HER work as well. Take a look here. LIke – look at that image of Drew Barrymore sitting in the big arm chair with her arms up in the air. I just find it captivating, and eye-catching. I love love her stuff.

But back to Bassman (who is still alive). Fascinating life, spanning 2 centuries.