Finding Vivian Maier

Introduction

Some matters are best kept private, a sentiment shared by Vivian Maier, a nanny with a hidden passion for photography. Though she has received some accolades thanks to John Maloof, a man who discovered her work at an auction house, it is unlikely she would have desired the publication of any of her work. According to a documentary titled Finding Vivian Maier, she was seen as a very vulnerable individual from the outside; she felt as if she wasn’t seen at times, and this sentiment of loneliness is reflected in many of her photographs. Despite Maier’s perceived isolation, her commitment to social justice for all is evident in her work. This was seen through some of her photographs, including black and white, which would be perceived …show more content…
It is a subject that invokes a plethora of emotions for millions of Americans, and is quite difficult to discuss openly. One of the most effective ways to understand racism is through modern imagery. From the images of the civil rights movement in the 1960s to depictions of slavery in the 16th and 19th centuries, imagery has proven to be the best way to visualize such a difficult issue. Vivian Maier is one of the few photographers capable of depicting this complex topic. In her famous shot titled Black and White, a white boy can be seen sitting on a chair, while a black boy is seen sitting in front of him on his knees. The innocence of the image is immediately revoked once it is seen that the black boy is cleaning the white boy's shoes. In the image, there is also an older white gentleman who is having his shoes cleaned by a young boy. Though the image can be seen as quite complex by some, the main theme is clear: racism is prevalent even in childhood. Why is it that the black boy is cleaning the white boy's shoes? Is the black boy inferior, and is the white boy superior? This question requires further investigation when the facial expression of the white boy is taken into consideration. The boy seemed rather annoyed, as he was annoyed at the service being given by the black boy as if he were a slave or a servant solely based on the color of his skin. When Maier captured this image, she meticulously incorporated …show more content…
Many Americans witnessed the stark contrasts between the wealthy classes in their city. As a result, many Chicagoans did not have sufficient funds to live in the city. This idea was exemplified when Maier captured a photograph of three men on a small set of stairs. In the photo, one man can be seen visibly shaken, the other is seen covering his face, and the last one is hiding his head under the man covering his face. It can be inferred that the men visited the bar to flee their financial problems, like many Americans at the time. Maier is one of the few people who possessed the capacity to take a picture of three very vulnerable men at very vulnerable moments. Maier was reflecting on her own life to some degree, as she was a very close person. By capturing an image of these men, she displays an array of emotions. The men are vulnerable; it can be presumed that they are drunk, and they had an image taken of themselves by Maier. Typically, when an individual is at their lowest point, they do not want it to be known, as this can make them feel exposed. As per the documentary on Maier’s life, she was quite secretive and didn’t often share information with others. Generally, when people frequent bars and have too many drinks, they do not want to disappoint those that they have a meaningful relationship

Show More

Related Documents: Finding Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier Research Paper