In the fifties, it started with “point and click” cameras and translated by capture image, develop, find envelope, stamp and then off to the post office. The process accelerated with a Polaroid image. Then it became: “snap,” proceed to mailbox. Now, via the ubiquitous selfie you capture and send in seconds.
This progression of technology, content and delivery, has shaped our culture for decades and it now documented at the new SFMOMA show: “snap+share: transmitting photographs from mail art to social networks.”
Displayed in a historical progression, the exhibition starts from the origins of this movement of “mail art” in the 1960s and 70s initiated by the American artist Ray Johnson.
As a good example, look at the series of 56 postcards mailed by On Kawara to a friend and all stamped on the back with the time he awoke. It sounds like a “I’m here, I live” message.
Take the time to witness the current project between Peter Miller and SFMOMA. Since January 1, 2019, Miller has been sending images via undeveloped photographic paper the size of a postcard.
As the photographic paper takes its journey via the US postal system, light filters through the envelope and an image slowly appears. You will be able to observe this evolving display from first mailing to the day you will visit the exhibition.
But it is Erik Kessels who takes us into the modern era with a tidal wave of images. Upon entering this gallery, you will be confronted with mountains of prints that represent a day of photographs exchanged on the Internet. You literally walk through a trail surrounded by thousands photos of pets, Christmas celebrations, and babies. The whole experience is very sensory.
Jeff Guess, with his installation “Into the Clouds” brings us back to the level of the pixels, makes them dance, assemble them, disassemble them on a giant screen, like at ballet. It’s digital magic for the rest of us.
Not doubt that you will be attracted by the refrigerator enthroned in the next room … The artist, David Horvitz began this project in 2009 … ten years of fun! Our advice: keep a cool head. We do not say more but the code of this “meme” is #241543903.
If you have walked through the room a little too quickly, retrace your steps and look at the slightly fuzzy photos that are hanging on the wall … Eiffel Tower, Tian’anmen Square, Taj Mahal, Egyptian pyramids or Golden Gate Bridge. Corinne Vionnet‘s imagery is built by superimposing hundred photos taken by tourists and posted on the Internet. She searched, selected these shots before superimposing them. For example you can see the Golden Gate bridge via hundreds of photos layers on top of each other.
One observation… when it comes to iconic images, there’s a lack of creativity. Corine Vionnet pulls it all together (literally) with an amazing rendering.
Stay tuned, she is preparing the same type of shots from photos taken in major US national parks.
This exhibition highlights many other artists. The only solution, catch the show from March 30th, through August 4th, 2019 at SFMOMA.
And by all means, bring your kids. In the age of Snapchat and other social networks, they can see the history and progression of their current experience.
Dates – March 30th – August 4th, 2019
SFMOMA – 151 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Hours – Friday to Tuesday 10 am – 5 pm, Thursday from 10 am – 9 pm – Closed on Wednesday.
