Before The Sartorialist…
Remember previously-blogged about street photographer Vivian Maier? I recently had the opportunity to interview John Maloof, who purchased Maier’s negatives and was the first to discover her talent. Read on!
Street photographer Vivian Maier
1. I understand that you purchased Vivian Maier’s negatives at a furniture and antique auction. What made you decide to get them?
I was working on a book that was published in 2008 on the history of a Chicago neighborhood, Portage Park. I know this auction house buys estates and, since this was in Portage Park, I was looking for local historic pictures of the neighborhood.
When I saw the boxes of negatives, I noticed some Chicago architecture in the images. I purchased them hoping to use them in my project but never did.
2. Can you describe your experience trying to recapture shots similar to Maier’s?
Some of my experiences working with a Rolleiflex camera and following in Vivian’s footsteps would definitely be on the streets of downtown Chicago. For example, I could wait on a busy corner for people to gather at a red light, prepared to focus on an individual I foresaw coming, and then look down into my viewer as if I was tinkering with an old gadget and capture the portrait without anyone noticing.
3. What trends have you found in her photographs?
I’d have to say that Vivian has many styles. If I were to point out a trend, it would have to be in her street work. She seemed to have a soft spot for children. She also had an interest in graffiti in her street work and people with newspapers.
4. Have you been able to contact any of Maier’s close friends or family members? If so, what did they have to say about Vivian? Did they know about her photography hobby?
From what I know, Vivian doesn’t have any friends or family. The closest thing she had to family were the children she nanny’d in the 1950’s-1960’s (in an affluent Chicago suburb) who
kept in touch with her throughout her life. There are people who knew Vivian such as the people she worked for and acquaintances from the camera shops and such. I am told pretty much the same thing by everyone who knew her. She always had at least one camera around her neck and she was constantly taking pictures which she showed no one. She was very private and loved to go to the theater. She was also very stand off-ish and to the point.
5. What do you plan on doing with Maier’s work?
Photograph by Vivian Maier
My hopes are to celebrate Vivian throughout the photography world. I am working on different ways to do so. At the same time, I am organizing and archiving her work for any future home.
6. What are your thoughts and feelings on discovering Maier’s hidden talent?
I am still looking through her work. There are times I see a photo she took that makes me pause, think, and reflect on how good this woman really was. She inspires me greatly. I can definitely say Vivian has changed my life.
7. Do you think it is okay to show her photographs even though she never showed them to anyone herself?
I think about this from time to time. Then I think about the alternative. Keeping this work in a dark closet to never been seen by anyone doesn’t make sense to me. I’m not sure if Vivian would be flattered or disappointed, but I feel this body of work is too important to keep hidden.
Photograph by Vivian Maier
8. Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
I am grateful for the positive response and support that I’ve received from around the world. It’s nice to know that her images speak a language that is universal. It’s great to be a part of it and it excites me to think that photography can make such a huge impact on people.
John Maloof’s web page featuring Vivian Maier’s work can be accessed at http://vivianmaier.blogspot.com/.
