Rock Fans as Art: How Photography Captures Hysterical Adoration
This article explores the impact of rock photography on the genre's visual identity, emphasizing the physical presence of both celebrities and their admirers. It highlights the traveling exhibition 'Who Shot Rock'n'Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to Present,' organized by Gail Buckland and showcased in various US museums. Notable photographs include Barry Feinstein's iconic 1966 image of Bob Dylan, Alfred Wertheimer's 1956 captures of Elvis Presley, and David Gahr's 1973 portrait of Bruce Springsteen. The piece reflects on the excitement from Beatlemania to Nirvana, featuring Charles Peterson's images of Kurt Cobain. Additionally, it showcases Terry O'Neill's 1975 photo of Elton John and Andreas Gursky's 'Madonna I' (2001), along with James Mollison's 'The Disciples' and Candice Breitz's 'Monuments.' Authored by Stéphane Malfettes, it is published in artpress 2, n°24.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Who Shot Rock'n'Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to Present' curated by Gail Buckland is touring US museums.
- Barry Feinstein's 1966 photo shows Bob Dylan with fans praying outside a limousine.
- Alfred Wertheimer documented Elvis Presley in 1956, including Elvis leaving his Memphis home.
- David Gahr's 1973 photo captures Bruce Springsteen with fans in Red Bank, New Jersey.
- Johnnie Ray's stage performances caused real hysteria, according to critic Nik Cohn.
- Charles Peterson's photos of Nirvana are featured in the exhibition 'Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses' at Experience Music Project, Seattle.
- Terry O'Neill photographed Elton John at Dodger Stadium in 1975.
- Andreas Gursky's 'Madonna I' (2001) depicts Madonna's concert on September 13, 2001 in Los Angeles.
- James Mollison's series 'The Disciples' (2004-2007) portraits fans of various artists.
- Candice Breitz's 'Monuments' series portrays fan tribes; she calls fans 'factory workers of mass media.'
- Desmond Morris wrote a preface for Mollison's catalog, discussing tribal bonding through rock.
- Article by Stéphane Malfettes, programmer at the Louvre, published in artpress 2, n°24.
Entities
Artists
- Elvis Presley
- Bob Dylan
- Bruce Springsteen
- Johnnie Ray
- Kurt Cobain
- Elton John
- Madonna
- Marilyn Manson
- Rod Stewart
- Missy Elliott
- Kiss
- Spice Girls
- The Cure
- Youssou N'Dour
- George Michael
- Iron Maiden
- Nirvana
- Mudhoney
- Soundgarden
- Barry Feinstein
- Alfred Wertheimer
- David Gahr
- Charles Peterson
- Terry O'Neill
- Andreas Gursky
- James Mollison
- Candice Breitz
- Desmond Morris
- Nik Cohn
- Stéphane Malfettes
- Gail Buckland
Institutions
- Allentown Art Museum
- Annenberg Space for Photography
- Experience Music Project
- Dodger Stadium
- Louvre
- artpress
Locations
- Memphis
- Tennessee
- United States
- Red Bank
- New Jersey
- Seattle
- Los Angeles
- California
- London
- United Kingdom
Sources
- artpress —