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Vivian Maier's Color Film Captures Chicago's 1970s Street Life

other · 2026-05-05

A newly surfaced color film by Vivian Maier (1926-2009) documents the frenetic energy of Chicago in the 1970s. Shot without sound, the footage shows traffic-clogged streets, crowded sidewalks, and bustling bars, capturing the city's multicolored, dynamic crowd. Maier's camera lingers on newspaper headlines of the day and solitary figures moving uncertainly through the throng, revealing her critical eye. The film marks a departure from her earlier black-and-white work in the alpine landscapes of Champsaur, Haute-Savoie, and intimate New York street photography. The video was shared by Artribune in 2016 in connection with the Photolux Festival.

Key facts

  • Vivian Maier lived from 1926 to 2009.
  • The film is in color and lacks audio.
  • It depicts Chicago streets in the 1970s.
  • Maier previously photographed in Champsaur, Haute-Savoie, and New York.
  • The footage includes newspaper headlines and solitary figures.
  • Artribune published the video in 2016.
  • The video was linked to the Photolux Festival.
  • Niccolò Lucarelli wrote the accompanying article.

Entities

Artists

  • Vivian Maier
  • Niccolò Lucarelli

Institutions

  • Artribune
  • Photolux Festival

Locations

  • Chicago
  • Champsaur
  • Haute-Savoie
  • New York

Sources