Exhibition Review: Magnum Photo 70 at 70
Magnum Photo Agency’s 70th Anniversary in New York, June 5-30
© Jonas Bendiksen/Magnum Photos
Written by Adriana Kidon
On February 6th, 1947, four photographers. Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger, and David “Chim” Seymour toasted to the founding of what would become the world’s most influential artist collective in the Museum of Modern Art, New York City. In the past 70 years, 92 photographers have contributed to the Magnum Photo agency and today, 49 photographers continue to chronicle our ever-changing world’s people and events.
This year Magnum Photo honors its 70th anniversary with exhibitions across New York focusing on Magnum’s three anniversary themes: community, witnessing history, and Magnum Photo Now talk series. Including exhibitions, screenings, and panels throughout the city, the special anniversary program encourages people to commemorate the agency’s legacy to both photography and its history as well as to celebrate its future.
© Alessandra Sanguinetti/Magnum Photos
As part of its anniversary program, Magnum launched its first exhibition at NeueHouse. 70 images are displayed to celebrate the diversity of Magnum’s work and the commitment its photographers have shown to capturing the humanity of the world over the past seven decades. The exhibitions include works by Susan Meiselas, Paolo Pellegrin, Martin Parr, Christopher Anderson, etc. and encompasses images from regional events such as Arab Spring, South Africa under apartheid, and the recent migration crisis.
Other highlights of the program include the exhibition Magnum Manifesto at ICP, Magnum: A Life In Photography at the Fulton Center, Protest! at Milk Gallery, and a Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibition titled India in Full Frame at the Rubin Museum. Additionally, there will be screenings at Metrograph and MoMa between June 15-July 1.
“Magnum is a community of thought, a shared human quality, a curiosity about what is going on in the world, a respect for what is going on and a desire to transcribe it visually.”
-Henri Cartier-Bresson
© Alex Majoli/Magnum Photos
© Rene Burri/Magnum Photos
