Avedon and Beckett

I was reading Beckett’s trilogy the other day, and coincidentally I found myself not long after in the bookstore looking at Avedon’s In The American West. Something came together having experienced the two back to back, and it was a moment of what Gaddis may refer to as a recognition. Both a recognition of the effectiveness of Beckett’s and Avedon’s art, and moreover the validity I find in it personally. I say this simply, but it was a profound encounter on my part.

Avedon, from The American West
Photo: from In the American West ©Richard Avedon

Avedon’s work In The American West remains for me a pinnacle of photography parred down to an idea. The portraits have nothing to do with the subjects, and everything to do with Avedon’s philosophies, his Malloy and Malone and Murphy.

On the topic of Avedon, if you’ve never read his essay, “Borrowed Dogs,” you should; it’s lovely,

Comments
3 Responses to “Avedon and Beckett”
  1. Lo says:

    Hello Graeme,

    I wondered if you have an actualized link to Avedon’s essay, this one does not seem to be working. I just discovered his work and I would like to learn more about the philosophy behind it.

  2. admin says:

    Avedon’s site is flash based now so I can’t put the exact link up, but go to his site and click on conversations, then click on “borrowed dogs,” and you should be able to read it or download a pdf.

  3. grolet christele says:

    I discovered “In the american west” through a book I borrowed from the library last winter. I don’t know if it was a recognition but it was sure a revelation for me, I kept the book for a whole week, looking at it nearly every evening, I was stunned , so struck, and so crushed sometimes…Weeping was actually good. Being devastated by his work felt good and …necessary.

    Thanks for posting that portrait I did not know.