Witkin and Michals Debate Photography's Taboos at Rockport Congress
At the third international photography congress held in Rockport, Maine, last August, two of America's foremost photographers, Joel-Peter Witkin and Duane Michals, engaged in a public discussion that became a highlight of the event. Witkin, known for photographing deformed bodies, and Michals, who describes his own work as 'pretty,' debated the boundaries of photographic imagery. The debate was moderated by A.D. Coleman, photography critic for the New York Observer. Artpress published extensive excerpts from this dialogue in its June 1989 issue.
Key facts
- Joel-Peter Witkin and Duane Michals participated in a public discussion at the third international photography congress.
- The congress took place in Rockport, Maine, USA, in August of the previous year.
- Witkin photographs deformed bodies; Michals calls his own photographs 'pretty.'
- The debate was moderated by A.D. Coleman, photography critic for the New York Observer.
- Artpress published large excerpts of the debate in its June 1989 issue.
- Both photographers are described as major American photographers of the time.
Entities
Artists
- Joel-Peter Witkin
- Duane Michals
- A.D. Coleman
Institutions
- Artpress
- New York Observer
Locations
- Rockport
- Maine
- USA
Sources
- artpress —