Through the eyes of Vivian Maier

Through Vivian Maier’s Eyes: A Retrospective of America’s Invisible Moments

Fotografiska New York is hosting the first major retrospective of Vivian Maier's extraordinary photography in the United States. 

Vivian Maier’s life (1926-2009) is as intriguing as her work. Growing up in the Bronx, Maier started capturing the world around her with her camera while working as a nanny. Her work, spanning from the early 1950s to the mid-1980s, was only discovered in the early 2000 and now places her among the greatest masters of twentieth-century photography, along with Robert Frank, Diane Arbus, Berenice Abbott and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

The exhibition, titled 'Vivian Maier: Unseen Work', showcases around 200 pieces, including vintage and modern prints, her signature black-and-white photographs but also color ones, and Super 8 films with soundtracks. It delves into the major themes of her photography, such as gestures, self-portraits, everyday faces, childhood, and kinetic play.

The exhibition provides a rich testament to post-war America and the complexities of the American dream. Her unique photographic language blends humanist photography, influenced by her French heritage, with American street photography. Maier meticulously documented the urban landscapes and socio-political changes in New York and Chicago from the 1950s to the 1990s, creating a complex visual narrative of her time.

Her street photography is particularly poignant, with Maier often focusing on the working-class neighborhoods where she lived—first in New York and later in Chicago. She tirelessly explored these areas, capturing the bustling life and the transient interactions of people. Her keen observations turned everyday scenes into extraordinary narratives, with each photograph revealing a fleeting, yet powerful, moment in time.

Maier’s position as an invisible working-class woman during the height of the American dream gave her a unique perspective, allowing her to capture moments often overlooked. Her photographs frequently depict those marginalized by society—individuals living in poverty, working hard, and enduring difficult circumstances. These raw, unposed portraits provide an honest glimpse into the lives of those on the fringes of society, contrasting starkly with the idealized vision of the American dream.

Maier’s work was largely unknown during her lifetime, only coming to light after her death in 2009. Through her lens, viewers are invited to see the world as she did—full of unnoticed beauty, irony, and the raw truth of everyday life. 'Vivian Maier: Unseen Work' is a testament to the remarkable talent of a photographer who, though invisible in her own time, has left an indelible mark on the history of photography.

On display at Fotografiska New York through September 29, 2024.