Chris Kraus on Francesca Woodman's Photographic Power
In a video produced by the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Copenhagen, American writer and filmmaker Chris Kraus (b. 1955) explores the visual universe of Francesca Woodman (1958–1981), a photographic talent who died by suicide at age 22. Kraus describes Woodman's love for gelatin silver prints, long exposures, cemeteries, wit, vintage clothing, angels, and ghost girls. The video focuses on two untitled color photographs—rare within Woodman's mostly black-and-white oeuvre. Kraus notes that Woodman had photographed herself thousands of times, not out of narcissism but as a means to understand how to make an image speak, a skill she mastered very young.
Key facts
- Video produced by Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen
- Chris Kraus is an American writer and filmmaker born 1955
- Francesca Woodman lived 1958–1981
- Woodman died by suicide at age 22
- Two untitled color photographs are discussed
- Most of Woodman's work is black and white
- Woodman photographed herself thousands of times
- Kraus says Woodman understood how to make an image speak at a young age
Entities
Artists
- Francesca Woodman
- Chris Kraus
Institutions
- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Locations
- Copenhagen
- Denmark