Summary
An inspired look and take on Wolfgang Tillman's retrospective "To look without fear" at MoMa.

Project Text

    "The greatest modern abstract photographer right now" This is what I googled a couple of months ago. Wolfgang Tillmans was the first and most popular response. I had never heard of him before I googled that. I checked out his work and started following him on Instagram. I saw his work but I also encountered a person who was vocal on current events such as the war in Ukraine, and currently the apparent call to execute 15,000 people in Iran over the protests. I appreciated him having no fear in speaking his mind.
    "To look without fear" - this is the title of Wolfgang Tillmans retrospective at The MoMa in New York City; and fearless is how I would describe this exhibition. One of the first things I noticed about this retrospective is that the photos were pinned or taped to the walls. No frames, captions or tombstones (museum labels). Just an immense array of photographs in all forms. I didn't see a Magnum Opus of abstract photography but the work of an artist who used a camera to capture moments. Where some of these moments staged? Where they candid? I didn't really care. I just cared about the image and how it made me feel. They inspired me.
     I always try to keep a camera with me other than my iPhone. This day I had my trusty Leica D-Lux 4 point and shoot, and that's exactly what I did. The energy in this exhibit immediately made me want to start shooting. I immersed myself in the work which in return kept inspiring me to try and capture moments of my experience in this exhibit. It also inspired me because I love taking photographs of everything and in every way. Creativity is pure emotion. I have been discouraged recently by some contemporaries.
     As I ask for advice and talk with photographers who are able to make a living and thrive off photography I often get a very similar response. Stick to one type of photography and perfect it. I hate that response. It's boring. But here I am writing this article before I go in to serve lunch to the people who decide what hangs on the walls of these great institutions and the people who pay for it. So am I the fool. Should I stick to one style, or genre. This is not the route for me. Art shouldn't be a elitist definition.
        Definitions. What are they? Are they good in art? Are they good in people? I take photographs, I raise my daughter and love my wife; I also wait tables at The Modern restaurant in MoMa, this is how I survive. Do the artists, employees, curators, trustees, tourists and my coworkers define me as a server? I wouldn't blame them, for if they encounter me I'm wearing an apron and serving their table. But I don't want to be defined, at this point I just want to be considered.
    Definitions and boundaries are expected in life and art. Categories and genres are created in order to help teach and distinguish different types of creativity. But is categorizing, defining and labeling always a positive. I personally don't like it. I comprehend if an individual piece is categorized, it makes more sense, but to label and artist and/or their work entirely is a slippery slope. However, I do understand that there are artists in all mediums who prefer, or even love focusing on one style or genre of their medium. That is their personal choice; and necessary, as it helps raise the bar and educate the artists who decide to dabble in everything.
    This exhibit deconstructs these ideals for me. I took away a huge rebellion to the norm, and photos that challenged, that were simple and that were fun. I could see some abstract stuff but I didn't see a pure abstract photographer. I saw a story of life.
    "To look without fear" was a release for me. A reassurance that everything is art. Or everything is. Who am I to say Mr. Tillmans is sitting back saying oh yeah I created art. He may be laughing saying I got a whole floor at MoMa of pictures of my friends and good times! It doesn't matter. I hope the small series of photos I present peak your interest in visiting MoMa to see this awesome exhibit. And if you can't get to NYC, check out his work. I can't say it will have to same affect on you, but for me, it helped me to look without fear at myself.