Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Look Before You Leap


In celebration of Leap Day—the best of all temporally related quadrennial celebrations—I thought it would be fun to take a photographic look at the “art of the leap.” (Don't worry, after the first one it's all primo stuff!)



I say "leap" you say "tumble"… tomato/t'ohmygoshIthinkIjustbrokesomething



But first, let’s take a moment to define what is, and what is, not a leap. For instance….



NOT a leap: George ZimbelMarilyn Monroe, Looking Left


George_Zimbel_Marilyn_Monroe_Looking_Left

A sixteenth-hearted effort if I’ve ever seen one.  Let someone else have the spotlight for once, Marilyn!





ALMOST a leap: Henry HorensteinMiss Saturn, Outside Slipper Room, New York, NY 2008


This digital file was made at 
AutumnColor Digital Imaging
Dedicated to the special needs of fine artists
(800) 533-5050

Nice fake-out, Miss Saturn, but no matter how celestial your pose (and name) may be… your stance remains a tad too Earthbound for my taste!


Leap: Ruth Orkin - Boy Jumping Into Hudson River, 1948

ruth-orkin-boy-jumping-into-hudson-river-1948

Now THAT’S how it’s done, baybay!



Culturally, the French appear to be quite adept in their leaptitude, which is unmistakable in this duo of jump-themed pieces.

Yves_Klein_Le_Saut_dans_le_vide_1960

Yves Klein –Le Saut dans le vide, 1960

 Henri_Cartier-Bresson_Behind_Saint-Lazare_Train_Station_1932  
Henri Cartier-BressonBehind the Gare Saint-Lazare, 1932




Jaques-Henri Latrigue -- Bichonnade Leaping




Fear not, patriots, for while the French Leap does appear prominently in the photographic realm, we all know the Freedom Leap is equally entertaining.

loomis-dean-man-flying-off-a-trampoline-at-santa-monica-beach

Loomis Dean – Man Flying Off a Trampoline at Santa Monica Beach



jump

Susan BurnstineJump



Dance is rife with leap photo-ops, and American modern dance queen, Martha Graham, shows up prominently in photography of the mid-20th century. Let’s combine the two, shall we?


Barbara_Morgan_Graham_Group_American_Document_Sophie_Maslow_Frieda_Flier_Marjorie_Mazia_Starburst_1938

Barbara Morgan – Graham Group, American Document, Sophie Maslow, Frieda Flier, Marjorie Mazia, (Starburst) 1938



Philippe Halsman - Merce Cunningham, leaping and Martha Graham, sitting




Apparently umbrellas play an integral part in the “leap shot,” as is evident in the following rainy day photos.

Richard_Avedon_Homage_to_Munkacsi

Richard Avedon – Homage to Munkasci, 1957



Elliott_Erwitt_Paris_1989_Tour_Eiffel

Ellitt Erwitt – Paris, 1989 (Tour Eiffel)



Like to see some of these works in person?  Never purchased a work of fine art photography? Take the LEAP (see what I did there?!) and stop on in and visit me at the John Cleary Gallery.  Happy Leap Day everyone… and don’t forget those umbrellas!


Artist: The Dave Clark Five / Album: Hits

1 comment:

  1. this was a GREAT post. LOVE the photos that you chose. everyone SHOULD go by the gallery, and buy a piece! anyone would be lucky to work with y'all. :)

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.