Viewing the Richard Avedon fashion exhibition at the International Center for Photography was the most comprehensive collection of his work I have seen in person. I especially enjoyed seeing the iconic “Dovima with Elephants” in person, which was strategically placed at the beginning of the exhibition. Although having the layout span chronologically seems to be the most obvious choice, as both a viewer and a student of photography I appreciated it from an educational perspective. Having the chance to see how a photographer develops, grows, explores, and gains confidence in his own work over time was both consoling and inspiring. Throughout the decades I began to notice emergence of different themes (or the expansion of old ones) and consistent points of interest (such as circus costume and makeup). I began to recognize visual quirks that, for me, distinguishes his work from others in fashion photography. By the conclusion of the exhibition it was amazing to see how much he had expanded conceptually and visually while at the same time staying steadily interested in the same situations and visual motifs. I think today the name Avedon speaks just as much as his work does (thanks to a raging reputation and a celebrated lifelong career). Walking through decade after decade of his work at ICP began to show me in a large way why this is.
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