History of American Art essays

History of American Art essays The photographs of Gary Winogrand, William Eggleston, and Diane Arbus all interpret the social climate of America in the 1960s. Their photos are all in black and white, which makes them feel timeless and eternal as they depict people, places, and events. Some of Gary Winogrand's pictures simply show snapshots of American fashions in the 1960s. For example, his New York shot dated 1961 shows two women from an unusual angle. They are wearing sexy miniskirts, showing that the fashion of that time. The 1962 photo of a couple in New York City shows them standing outside a gate with a dog behind it. This captures an upper-middle class feeling. The 1964 shot of the World's Fair shows several people gossiping on a park bench. The atmosphere is joyous and lighthearted. However, some of Winogrand's photos include more social commentary. For example, his 1964 shot of a bi-racial couple at the Central Park Zoo has both the black man and white woman holding monkeys. This shot exhibits the ability for Americans to overcome racism but also hints that racism is still alive in America. Another picture, shot in Los Angeles in 1964, shows a man and a woman in a moving automobile. The male driver has a broken nose and the scene suggests that he was involved in some kind of fight. Winogrand's 1964 picture of the American Legion Convention in Dallas, Texas depicts a wounded man begging on the floor; he seems to be missing his legs. Finally, Winogrand took a stunning photograph of a 1969 peace demonstration in New York City. In the background are flag-waving demonstrators and in the foreground some policemen congregate. One of them is also holding a folded flag. This picture shows the conflicts in American culture during the Vietnam War. Like Gary Winogrand, Diane Arbus also took many of her photographs in New York City. Many of these simply show some social commentary. For instance, a boy is making a...