Biography:
Andre Kertesz
Born: July 2, 1894, Hungary
Died: September 28, 1985, New York
Known For: architecture, interiors,
magazine work, scenery, Washington
Square Park, principles of composition,
photojournalism, distortion, use of
symbolism, use of unusual angles
Background:
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self-taught photographer (began as a hobby and transformed into a career)
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received a bachelor's degree from the Hungarian Academy of Commerce
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worked as a clerk in the Budapest stock exchange and as a member of the Austro-Hungarian army in World War I
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first photographs were of his experience in the war, specifically about the lives of soldiers away from the fighting, which was uncommon
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moved to Paris in 1925 to become a freelance photographer; his career continued from there
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one of the first people to effectively use 35mm cameras; before, they were viewed as unprofessional and inadequate
Photography:
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styles of photography: photojournalism, architecture, street photography; Kertesz wanted to depict life through different perspectives while emphasizing emotions
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introduction to photography: Kertesz bought his first camera while working in the stock exchange, wanting to explore a different career path than his parents intended for him. The development of the 35mm camera allowed him to properly express his ideas and photography
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influences: the Dada movement and artists - such as Piet Mondrian. This can be seen in his early photographs taken during the war and in his cavalier attitude regarding planning his photographs, as well as his use of everyday objects. The Dada movement's influence also promoted his photojournalistic style
Historical Connections:
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contributions: Kertesz showed the benefits and special features of the 35mm camera, which had previously been scrutinized for its inability to be deliberate and descriptive; he instead used it to show small details and different perspectives, revolutionizing the idea of what a camera could do. He also advanced photojournalism and the photo essay, majorly influencing other artists to follow in his footsteps and essentially defining the artistic genre.
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affiliations: photojournalism, Conde Nast Publications and Home & Garden magazine
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affiliations' effect on work: Since he is seen as a founder of photojournalism, Kertesz's work was not significantly affected by the movement; rather, the movement was shaped by his work, specifically his early wartime photography and his magazine work. His magazine affiliations led to the capturing of scenes that were not of great interest to him, but he managed to maintain his individualistic style present in all his works.
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associations: mainly artists from the Dada movement, such as Piet Mondrian and Serguej Michail Eisenstein
Additional Information:
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Photojournalism: storytelling through photographs, used in newspapers and magazines, focuses on depth and perception, spur of the moment, affects change
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Dada Movement: reaction to nationalism and World War I, focus on creating important messages rather than visually pleasing images, gave the artist a new role in society, characterized by use of commonplace objects