Vivian Maier,
February 1, 1926 - April 21, 2009
The posthumous discovery of this remarkable street photographer is a story fit for Hollywood… In fact, the documentary film, “Finding Vivian Maier” has released to wonderful reviews:
“Absorbing, touching and satisfyingly enjoyable.”
New York Times
“A moving tribute to Vivian Maier’s art.”
The New Yorker
“Gripping”
LA Times
From the official website:
http://www.findingvivianmaier.com
"Finding Vivian Maier is the critically acclaimed documentary about a mysterious nanny, who secretly took over 100,000 photographs that were hidden in storage lockers and, discovered decades later, is now among the 20th century’s greatest photographers. Directed by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel, Maier’s strange and riveting life and art are revealed through never before seen photographs, films, and interviews with dozens who thought they knew her.
Maier’s massive body of work would come to light when in 2007 her work was discovered at a local thrift auction house on Chicago’s Northwest Side. From there, it would eventually impact the world over and change the life of the man who championed her work and brought it to the public eye, John Maloof.
Currently, Vivian Maier’s body of work is being archived and cataloged for the enjoyment of others and for future generations. John Maloof is at the core of this project after reconstructing most of the archive, having been previously dispersed to the various buyers attending that auction. Now, with roughly 90% of her archive reconstructed, Vivian’s work is part of a renaissance in interest in the art of Street Photography.”
I have been following the release of her archives, purchasing a number of books that have been published since her discovery. It’s a true wonder and sadly disturbing that someone with such talent was not celebrated during her lifetime. She is now being hailed as the greatest street photographer of the 20th century — on par with Henri Cartier-Bresson, and yet even her close friends knew little about her talent.
According to The New York Times, we may not see many more of her images for a number of years:
"Now a court case in Chicago seeking to name a previously unknown heir is threatening to tie her legacy in knots and could prevent her work from being seen again for years.” (September 5, 2014)
“Well, I suppose nothing is meant to last forever. We have to make room for other people. It’s a wheel. You get on, you have to go to the end. And then somebody has the same opportunity to go to the end and so on.” – Vivian Maier
All images are by Vivian Maier.