Philippe Halsman “ Self portrait of 1950”
When it comes to the long history of photography and the progression of the different stylish choices and many functions that can serve. With this development in the artistic world there has been a list of images that have become the most noted and recognized in human history. Although, the term ionic can be seen as subjective and relative when things are miscatagoized. To be considered iconic is to define certain persons, events and objects that tend to be one of a kind and usually can’t be replicated to the same degree of authenticity that was presented previously. Philippe Halsman of Latvia would be an example of an iconic figure in art history through his work. Halsman started his photography career in Paris in 1930 at the age of twenty-four where he quickly established his reputation as a talented photographer who ended up becoming a contributor to a number of fashion magazines and even opened a portrait studio in 1932. However, in 1940 when the Nazis invaded the city Halsman went to the United States where soon after his sister followed with the aid of Albert Einstein himself. After Halsman became an American citizen in 1948 which was the same year he did the photoshoot with Salvador Dali that has become world renowned, the name of the photograph “Dali Atomicus”. In this particular entry it will be analyzed why Halsman’s “Dali Atomicus” is viewed as being iconic.
Philippe Halsman, Dalí Atomicus ,1948
In this photograph, Halsman shoots Dalí in mid-air along with two of his paintings, a bucket of water, and three flailing cats. How this whole competition was able to come together would be that Halsman and his family had to aid him in this complex image that embodied the whole nature of Dali’s work up until that point. The daughter and wife helped throw the cats and the bucket of water; most notable is the fact that there is no series of images taken that were collaged together or any means of digital alterations. This composition was done all in one shot, one synchronized moment of harmony. Dalí Atomicus was published in a two-page spread in LIFE magazine where Halsman had been a rather influential contributor with his other photographic pieces.
Halsman always had a great appreciation for the surrealism movement that was prominent at the time, but most notably is his long standing creative partnership with Salvador Dali himself. However, why this particular photograph would be considered to be iconic would that there is a prominent, recognizable figure, this being Dali as the main subject and the composition and artistic choice of intertwining Dali’s eccentric personality and artstyle into the photograph created an image that cant be replicated exactly and is unique all into itself. The two artists, Dali and Halsman, are equally represented in this photograph even though Dali is the only subject but through Halsman’s artistic collaboration he was able to bring to like the main principles of surrealism, the floating world into a reality.
What dose it mean to be Iconic?
To be iconic is to express and present a collaboration or completely new format of compositions that have not yet been explored in a particular time period. To use photography as a means of artistic expression is an art like any painter, sculptor or other fields that require an understanding and longing to see the world in a different way and to showcase it to others to turn what may seem like one thing to be presented as another.
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Bibliography
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Editorial, Artsy, and Jacqui Palumbo. "The Story behind the Surreal Photograph of Salvador Dalí and Three Flying Cats." Artsy. 08 Oct. 2018. Web. 22 Feb. 2021. <https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-story-surreal-photograph-salvador-dali-three-flying-cats>.
Luxx, Lisa. "A Modern Twist on Salvador Dalí's Classic Photo." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 21 Sept. 2017. Web. 22 Feb. 2021. <https://www.telegraph.co.uk/photography/tips/salvador-dali-atomicus/>.
"Death Valley Gallery." Terry Abrams Photography. Web. 22 Feb. 2021. <https://www.terryabrams.com/death-valley-gallery>.
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