UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHIC OBJECTS FROM THE CENTER FOR CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY

April 11 October 18, 2015

SINGULAR. ORIGINAL. UNIQUE.

These words evoke something distinctive and inimitable. In our consumer culture, works of art are distinguished from the mundane mass-produced objects that surround us. For most, uniqueness in art is linked to the maker: a work of art has often been produced by hand, and can reveal something about the artist who made it. If we narrowly define art as one-of-a-kind objects that reflect an artists hand, photography is an outlier. Most photographs begin with a negative or digital capture from which multiple prints can be made and distributed. These prints, often considered identical, can be created in a series as largeor limitedas the photographer chooses.

Looking closely at multiple prints from a single negative, however, reveals the complexity of a photographic edition. Ansel Adams, who personally made between 1000 and 1200 prints of his iconic Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, often used a musical analogy for describing the process of printing in the darkroom. The negative, he would say, is like the composers score, and the print is like the performance. Adams was acknowledging that not only is each print (even from the same negative) a necessarily distinctive object, but that the variation between prints was a desirable reflection of the changing mood and experience of the artist.

This exhibition challenges the notion that photographs are identical multiples. Some artists choose photographic processes that involve no negative including daguerreotypes, tintypes, and Polaroid prints and produce only a single, one-of-a-kind object. Artists can produce unique artworks by manipulating materials: a photograph produced from a negative might be sculpted, collaged, painted, or drawn on. Photographers also have the option to stop after making a single print, creating a distinctive object from a medium of multiples.

Why do artists choose a reproducible medium only to create a singular object? What are the limitations and advantages of photographic processes that produce only a unique positive? How does uniqueness influence our thinking about a work of art?

The Center for Creative Photography (CCP) has been collecting unique

photographic objects since its inception. This brochure illustrates all 65 pieces in

the exhibition, organized on the following pages in the order in which they entered

the CCP collection.

Rebecca Senf, Norton Family Curator

Yulla Lipchitz, 1911-2003untitled, ca. 1980Two integral dye diffusion (Polaroid SX-70) printsUnique edition Estate and Family of Yulla Lipchitz81.90.3

Patricia White, b. 1946untitled, from Light Tracings Series, 1979Gelatin silver print, toned, with oil paintUnique edition Patricia White82.70.1

Harold Jones, b. 1940Lightening, 1977Gelatin silver print, with pen and India inkUnique edition 1977 Harold Jones2010.9.5

Patrick Nagatani, b. 1945; and Andre Tracey, b. 1948Indian Summer, Nuclear Winter, 1986Twelve dye diffusion transfer (Polaroid Polacolor) printsEdition 4/5 (each set unique) Nagatani/Tracey2000.74.1.F

above, from top:

Robert Fichter, b. 1939Roger Mertins Back, Leon County Produce, June 1976Two gelatin silver prints, Sabattier effect, collagedUnique edition Robert W. Fichter76.97.3

untitled, June 1976Two gelatin silver prints, collagedUnique edition Robert W. Fichter76.97.4

Tom Young, b. 1951untitled, 1976DaguerreotypeUnique edition Tom Young77.99.1

Edmund Teske, 1911-1996Kenneth, Anger, Topanga Canyon, ca. 1960sGelatin silver print, Sabattier effectUnique edition Estate of Edmund Teske, courtesy Gitterman Gallery78.71.1

Thomas F. Barrow, b. 1938Glass Studies, 1977-1978Gelatin silver print, photogram and projected negative composite, with spray paintUnique edition Thomas Barrow79.70.1

Judith Golden, b. 1934untitled, from Magazine Series, 1975Gelatin silver print, with oil paintUnique edition Judith Golden, 197579.77.1

Arnold Newman, 1918-2006Aaron Siskind, 1979Dye diffusion transfer (Polaroid Polacolor) printUnique edition Estate of Arnold Newman, courtesy Getty Images79.132.1

Edmund Teske, 1911-1996Male nude, Topanga Canyon, California, ca. 1960s Gelatin silver print, Sabattier effectUnique edition Estate of Edmund Teske, courtesy Gitterman Gallery80.21.1

Andreas Feininger, 1906-1999untitled, ca. 1937Gelatin silver print, Sabattier effectUnique edition Estate of Andreas Feininger, courtesy Getty Images81.56.8

Photographer unknownuntitled, ca. 1885Wet plate collodion (tintype)Unique edition81.229.1

above, from top:

Douglas Prince, b. 1943untitled, 1973Plexiglas and film photo sculptureUnique edition Douglas Prince80.31.215

untitled, 1971Plexiglas and film photo sculptureUnique edition Douglas Prince80.31.216

untitled, 1970-1974Plexiglas and film photo sculpture Unique edition Douglas Prince80.31.218

Pierre Cordier, b. 1933Chemigram negative, September 21, 1972Gelatin silver printUnique edition Pierre Cordier80.31.29

above, from top:

Dan Budnik, b. 1933Anaconda Uranium Waste Pond, Blue Water, N.M., ca. 1980Dye diffusion transfer (Polaroid Polacolor) printsUnique edition Dan Budnik81.117.21, 81.117.22, 81.117.23, 81.117.26

above, from top:

Susan Rankaitis, b. 1949untitled, ca. 1978Gelatin silver print, with combined mediaUnique edition Susan Rankaitis, courtesy Robert Mann Gallery79.32.1

untitled, 1978Gelatin silver print, with combined mediaUnique edition Susan Rankaitis, courtesy Robert Mann Gallery79.32.2

Betty Hahn, b.1940(Large) Blue Chrysanthemum #3, 1978Cyanotype, with oil pastels Betty HahnUnique edition79.58.1

Roxanne Malone, b. 1941Kirlian Photogram, 1983Silver dye bleach printUnique edition 1985 Roxanne Malone84.22.3

Bernard Plossu, b. 1945Chaco Canyon, 1984Ten gelatin silver prints, collaged, with graphiteUnique edition Bernard Plossu85.29.2

Brian Taylor, b. 1954Monet visits Saguaro Lake, Arizona, 1985Cyanotype, gum bichromate, collaged, with chalk pastelsEdition 1/12 (each print unique) Brian Taylor85.48.1

Patricia White, b. 1946untitled, 1982Gelatin silver print, toned, with oil paintUnique edition Patricia White84.50.1

above, from top:

William Larson, b. 1942untitled, April 6, 1973Electro carbon printUnique edition William G. Larson82.67.5

untitled, July 15, 1975Electro carbon printUnique edition William G. Larson82.67.6

above, from top:

Ansel Adams, 1902-1984Surf Sequence 2, San Mateo County Coast, California, 1940Gelatin silver print Ansel Adams Publishing Rights TrustUneditioned84.92.209

Surf Sequence 2, San Mateo County Coast, California, 1940Gelatin silver print Ansel Adams Publishing Rights TrustUneditioned84.92.270

above, from top:

Laurie Lange, b. 1951Light Cosmogony, March 11, 1984Gelatin silver print, photogram, overdevelopedUnique edition Laurie Lange85.2.1

Nimbus Series (#4), February 22, 1984Gelatin silver print, photogram, overdevelopedUnique edition Laurie Lange85.2.2

Todd Walker, 1917-1998Chris, Veiled, 1970Gelatin silver print, Sabattier effect, with chemical manipulationEdition 1/1 The Walker Image Trust86.27.2

Jeffrey A. Wolin, b. 1951Miso Remembers Auschwitz, 1987Gelatin silver print, split toned, with inkUnique edition 1988 Jeffrey A. Wolin90.5.1

Ellen Carey, b. 1952Self-portrait, 1984Dye diffusion transfer (Polaroid Polacolor) print, multiple exposureUnique edition Ellen Carey90.32.7

Josef Breitenbach, 1896-1984Fall B, ca. 1940sGelatin silver print, photogram, tonedUnique edition The Josef and Yaye Breitenbach Charitable Foundation89.89.26

Olivia Parker, b. 1941untitled, 1982Dye diffusion transfer (Polaroid Polacolor) printUnique edition 1982 Olivia Parker85.125.56

above, from top:

Eikoh Hosoe, b. 1933untitled, 1982Gelatin silver print, tornEdition 1/1 Eikoh Hosoe86.23.1, 86.23.2, 86.23.3

above, from top:

Robert Heinecken, 1931-2006TV Cube, 1968Six gelatin silver prints, photo sculpture, on wooden baseUnique edition Robert Heinecken Trust93.69.7

above, from left to right:

Joyce Neimanas, b. 1944Untitled #4, 1981155 integral dye diffusion (Polaroid SX-70) prints, collagedUnique edition Joyce Neimanas97.2.2

Untitled #5, 1981155 integral dye diffusion (Polaroid SX-70) prints, collagedUnique edition Joyce Neimanas97.2.3

left, from top:

Barbara Crane, b. 1928Lucys Place, 1984Dye diffusion transfer (Polaroid Polacolor) printEdition 1/1 Barbara Crane99.91.275

Lucys Place, 1984Dye diffusion transfer (Polaroid Polacolor) printEdition 1/1 Barbara Crane99.91.276

right:

Photographer unknownUntitled, ca. 1855-1865Photographic print adhered to glass, with hand coloringUnique edition97.9.1

Holly Roberts, b. 1951Man with Black Hat, 1997Gelatin silver print adhered to canvas, with oil paintUnique edition Holly Roberts98.30.1

Patrick Bailly Matre Grand, b. 1945untitled, from Les Nippones deau Series, 1996Gelatin silver print, photogram, Sabattier effect, split tonedUnique edition Patrick Bailly-Matre-Grand99.50.1

Victor Landweber, b. 1943Treasure Tones: Picturesque Views: Desert Scene, Tropic Isle, Winter Scene, Mountain Scene with Dark Fawn by Silver Lake, 1975Four dye diffusion transfer (Polaroid Polacolor) printsUnique edition Victor Landweber, 197598.95.1

Dinh Q. L, b. 1968Untitled, 1998Two chromogenic prints, wovenUnique edition Dinh Q. L98.61.1

Judith Golden, b. 1934Cardinal, from Desert Life Series, 1997Gelatin silver print, photogramUnique edition Judith Golden, 199797.77.1

above, from left:

Patrick Nagatani, b. 1945; and Andre Tracey, b. 1948Indian Summer, Nuclear Winter, 1986Twelve dye diffusion transfer (Polaroid Polacolor) printsEdition 4/5 (each set unique) Nagatani/Tracey2000.74.1.A-L

left:

Chris McCaw, b. 1971Sunburned GSP #340 (SF Bay Bridge), 2009Gelatin silver print, exposed in cameraUnique edition 2009 Chris McCaw2011.5.1

below:

Jonathan Kline, b. 1954Air Bubbles 111, 1997Salted paper negative (calotype)Unique edition Jonathan Kline2014.3.1

Photographer unknownuntitled, ca. 1870-1900Albumen print, collaged, with hand coloringUnique edition2005.17.1

Photographer unknownuntitled, ca. 1865-1930Wet plate collodion (tintype)Unique edition2008.4.1

Andy Warhol, 1928-1987Emily Fisher Landau, 1982Dye diffusion transfer (Polaroid Polacolor) printUnique edition The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc.clockwise from top left: 2008.89.14, 2008.89.15, 2008.89.16, 2008.89.17

Jim Hajicek, b. 1939; and Carol Panaro-Smith, b. 1954Earth Vegetation / 05 21, 2005Salted paper print on vellum (photogenic drawing), photogramUnique edition 2005 Carol Panaro-Smith/James Hajicek2012.23.1

David Emitt Adams, b. 1980Organ Pipe, 2012Wet plate collodion (tintype)Unique edition David Emitt Adams2013.27.2

Harold Jones, b. 1940The Couple Who Disappeared When They Kissed, 1981/1989Gelatin silver print, abraded with sandpaperUnique edition 1989 Harold Jones2013.13.3

Christopher Colville, b. 1974Meditation on the Northern Hemisphere #3, 2011Gelatin silver print, photogram, exposed with ignited gun powderUnique print from a set of nine variantsAcquired 2015

A LANDMARK PHOTOGRAPHY PARTNERSHIPIn 2006, Phoenix Art Museum and the Center for Creative Photography

at the University of Arizona in Tucson inaugurated a highly innovative and

unprecedented collaboration to bring the finest in photography to Phoenix Art

Museum visitors. It established a vibrant new photography exhibition program

at the Museum, while bringing the Centers world-renowned collections to new

and larger audiences.

The Center for Creative Photography is one of the worlds largest repositories

of materials chronicling photography. Founded in 1975, it now houses 3.8

million archival items and 80,000 fine prints by photographers including Ansel

Adams, Edward Weston, Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind, Frederick Sommer,

W. Eugene Smith, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, and Garry Winogrand.

One of the nations leading art museums, Phoenix Art Museum presents

international exhibitions of the worlds greatest art and features a collection

that spans the centuries and the globe American, Asian, contemporary,

European, Latin American, and Western American art, and fashion design.

Not to be missed are the Thorne Miniature Rooms, the interactive family

gallery PhxArtKids, great shopping and dining, and a variety of public events.

Now, through the combined efforts of these two organizations, Phoenix

Art Museum visitors experience unparalleled excellence in the field of

photography in the Museums Doris and John Norton Gallery for the

Center for Creative Photography.

1625 North Central Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85004-1685

602-257-1222

phxart.org

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1030 North Olive Road

P.O. Box 210103

Tucson, AZ 85721-0103

520-621-7968

creativephotography.org

produced with support from INFOCUS, the photography

Support Organization of Phoenix Art Museum. infocus-phxart.org