Aaron Siskind facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aaron Siskind
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Siskind, circa 1950
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| Born | December 4, 1903 New York City, New York
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| Died | February 8, 1991 (aged 87) |
| Known for | Photography |
Aaron Siskind (born December 4, 1903 – died February 8, 1991) was a famous American photographer. He was known for taking pictures that focused on small details of everyday things. He would make these details look like flat surfaces, creating a brand new image.
His work was very connected to a type of art called abstract expressionism. He was good friends with well-known painters like Franz Kline, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning.
Contents
About Aaron Siskind's Life
Early Life and Teaching
Aaron Siskind was born in New York City. He grew up in a part of the city called the Lower East Side. After finishing college at City College, he became an English teacher.
He taught English in public schools in New York for 25 years. Siskind started photography when he got a camera as a wedding gift. He began taking pictures during his honeymoon.
Photography Beginnings
Early in his photography career, Siskind joined a group called the New York Photo League. Here, he created important photo series that showed social issues in the 1930s. One famous series was called "Harlem Document."
In the 1940s, Siskind lived above a book shop in Manhattan. He also had his own darkroom there. This was where he developed his photographs.
Teaching and Collaborations
In 1950, Siskind received a special grant called the Guggenheim grant. That same year, he met another photographer named Harry Callahan. They met while teaching at Black Mountain College during the summer.
At Black Mountain College, he also met Robert Rauschenberg, a famous artist. Later, Harry Callahan asked Siskind to join him as a teacher. They both taught at the IIT Institute of Design in Chicago. This school was started by László Moholy-Nagy.
In 1971, Siskind moved to teach at the Rhode Island School of Design. He taught there until he retired in the late 1970s.
Later Work and Death
Siskind traveled and worked all over the world. He visited Mexico in 1955 and again in the 1970s. He also went to Rome in 1963 and 1967.
In the 1980s, he created a photo series called "Tar Series." He took these pictures in places like Providence, Vermont, and near Westport, Rhode Island. Aaron Siskind continued taking photographs until he passed away from a stroke on February 8, 1991.
Where to See His Work
You can find Aaron Siskind's photographs in many art museums around the world. Here are some of the places that have his work:
- Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, California
- J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California
- Museum of Modern Art, New York City
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
See Also
In Spanish: Aaron Siskind para niños
