Issue No. 28 – Control

What is the nature of control? The desire for it—and to be free of it—are essential parts of both life and art.

Glen Craig at Morrison Hotel Gallery

Glen Craig at Morrison Hotel Gallery

Images above: ©Fernando Sandoval, Opening night

Images above: ©Fernando Sandoval, Opening night

 

In 1965, a chance encounter with B.B. King propelled a young Glen Craig into the world of music photography. Craig’s image of the blues guitarist became a front cover of Cashbox magazine. Soon after, Glen became chief photographer for Hullaballoo magazine. 

 

Image above: ©Glen Craig, Iggy Pop, 1969 / Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery

Image above: ©Glen Craig, Iggy Pop, 1969 / Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery



During his next few years with the magazine, Glen photographed many musicians who went on to become music legends. These include celebrated artists Aretha Franklin, James Brown, B.B. King, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Wayne Cochran, and Johnny Cash, as well as rock and roll icons The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, The Beach Boys, Loving Spoonful, The Doors, and countless others.

 

Image above: ©Glen Craig, B.B. King, Madison Square Garden, NYC, 1969 / Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery

Image above: ©Glen Craig, B.B. King, Madison Square Garden, NYC, 1969 / Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery


Craig’s work caught the attention of Sid Bernstein, the man who first brought The Beatles to America. Glen worked closely with Sid as creative director and press officer. Glen also collaborated with B.B. King on TV commercials in the 1970s. 

While photographing B.B. King in the late 60s, Columbia / CBS introduced Glen to Miles Davis in New York City. The record company wanted to cross Davis into a more mainstream music audience, and Glen and Miles developed a trusting relationship that allowed the photographer to photograph Davis at home, at the gym, and in the studio. Glen went on to photograph Miles in 1970 for Zygote magazine, which ran an 18-page feature on the musician, including many of the photos shown here, of three weeks Craig spent with Miles Davis, leading up to and including his performances in June 1970 at the Fillmore East.

 

Image above: ©Glen Craig, Miles Davis and Margarita doing sit ups at Gleason's gym, NYC June 1970, 1970 / Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery

Image above: ©Glen Craig, Miles Davis and Margarita doing sit ups at Gleason's gym, NYC June 1970, 1970 / Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery



Glen Craig credits as his mentors the photographers Diane Arbus, Gordon Parks, and Benedict J. Fernandez, whom Glen studied under at Parsons School of Design in New York City. 
 

Image above: ©Glen Craig, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, NYC, 1969 / Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery

Image above: ©Glen Craig, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, NYC, 1969 / Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery


Classic archival fiber base gelatin silver darkroom prints are the results of a collaboration between photographer and printmaker working to transform straight-out-of-camera images into extraordinary fine art work. The edit process includes stylistic interpretation along with burning/ dodging, texture and other localized adjustments. Known for luminosity and depth, Custom Fiber is hand printed, and selenium toned for archival stability, a Sistan bath and spotted for a print longevity of 100 years or more. These prints will meet the highest archival standards.

 

 

Glen Craig: Miles Davis is on view at Morrison Hotel Gallery until May 12, 2016 at 116 Prince st, 2nd Floor, New York, NY

Thumbnail image: ©Glen Craig, Miles Davis at his house (6) Talk Stoop, 312 W 77th st, NYC 1970

 

 

Shimon Attie at Jack Shainman

Shimon Attie at Jack Shainman

Jim Naughten at Klompching Gallery

Jim Naughten at Klompching Gallery