Artwork Page for Parabola optica

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Series Title: Manuel Alvarez Bravo: Fifteen Photographs

Parabola optica

1931, printed 1974

Manuel Álvarez Bravo

(Mexican, 1902–2002)
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Culture
Mexico
Medium
gelatin silver print
Credit Line
Gift of Alan and Monah L. Gettner 2023.197.4
Edition
Edition of 75 with 15 artist's proofs
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

It is the artist’s personal outlook and cultural heritage that unify the disparate subjects photographed by Manuel Alvarez Bravo.

Description

Manuel Alvarez Bravo sought to represent the viewpoint of Mexico’s Indigenous cultural heritage and its peasants as he chronicled their encounter with the country’s rapid modernization. His work is often considered Surrealist, but he never formally identified with that art movement. The odd juxtapositions, occasional humor, and quixotic viewpoint of his images may derive from growing up in a culture that contains both Indigenous and European traditions.
A vertically oriented photograph in high-contrast black and white captures an optician's storefront. On our left, a circular sign projects a large, unblinking eye framed by curved Spanish text. Mirrored and reversed block letters across the top and windows overlap with multiple reflections of smaller eyes peering out from deep shadows. The composition creates a surreal, layered texture of text and gazes through stark white highlights and dark, matte grays.

Parabola optica

1931, printed 1974

Manuel Álvarez Bravo

(Mexican, 1902–2002)
Mexico

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