If there’s ever an example to reinforce the expression “one picture is worth a thousand words,” the verbal messages emanating from the newest photographic exhibition at New York City’s Jewish Museum is a million-word masterpiece. Yet, walking through this historic show of more than 140 classic photographs, you’re moved by the hushed tones of the museum visitors as you all take in the powerful works – and sad stories – of these mostly Jewish photographers.
They first came together in an organization named The Photo League. From 1936 until 1951 when the group was blacklisted – torn apart in the McCarthy-Hoover era of harsh attacks that called them Communist sympathizers – these artistic photographers let their cameras do the talking. They were photojournalists – amateurs and professional photographers – who joined their 35mm hand-held cameras together in a show of camaraderie. Members of The Photo League included Aaron Siskind, Berenice Abbitt, Weegee, Sid Grossman, Arthur Rothstein, Jerome Liebling, Morris Engel and others.They met in a downtown building at 23 E. 10th St. to discuss and learn from each other. That location happened to be in a NYC tenement area that formed a backdrop for a number of the photographs now on display. The tale that helped bring down this organization – a well documented story of government crackdowns of perceived Communist sympathizers that led to the blacklisting of many Jewish artists of that period – is highlighted in a front page reprint article of The New York Times on display that lists many of the offending individuals and organizations including The Photo League.
But the stunning work of the organization whose members came together with fliers that advertised “hocus focus” meetings, speaks for itself. And perhaps that’s why the exhibition, titled “The Radical Camera: New York’s Photo League, 1936-1951″ is so worth seeing. It continues its run at the Jewish Museum at Fifth Avenue and 92nd Street through March 25 before traveling to other cities. Historically speaking, this is definitely a picture perfect exhibition filled with artistic drama in every photo. In addition, there’s some timely documentary newsreel footage, including scenes of protesters gathered in Union Square with (shades of the recent Occupy Wall Street movement) with accompanying historic text from that period that reads: “In the richest country in the world, two billion dollars of relief for the bankers and industrialists … but no help for the unemployed.”
Afterwards, stopping into the Jewish Museum’s small but impressive bookstore along with, time permitting, the other Museum exhibitions, makes for a fulfilling visit. Also, weather permitting, for a change of pace, head across the street and enter the Central Park path at 90th Street that takes you up to the Reservoir walkway (officially known as the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir) and join the other joggers, walkers – and many photographers – for some stunning picturesque views.