Culture Class: Visiting Winogrand

On March 15 our conversation class took the lesson beyond the classroom to an excellent exhibit at the Mapfre Foundation featuring the photography of the great American street photographer, Garry Winogrand. Students researched aspects of the photographer’s personal and professional life beforehand, which helped the class discuss, explain and analyze the photographs in depth. To sum up, we were all fascinated by the exhibit, a flashback of sorts into the tumultuous everyday life of the USA of the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. Documented from the personal and poetic lens of Winogrand, we saw and discussed the complexities of Winogrand’s photography and culture, at times ironic, iconic, humorous, tragic and deep. 

Here is Raquel’s reflection on the Winogrand photography exhibit. First, read the corrected version of Raquel’s response and then, below, the original. In pairs, find 10 differences between the two versions, i.e.: spelling, grammar, syntax, word choice, etc. Then, as a group, discuss the reasons for these changes.

Garry Winogrand’s photography is an interesting revelation for any curious visitor because it allows for a personal exploration of his work. It is a trip through the recent history of the United States in the second half of the 20^th century, familiar to most Europeans thanks to literature, movies and TV shows.

Even more stimulating is trying to uncover the stories behind the photographs. The social context gives us some clues into the portraits of everyday life that Winogrand captured. On the streets of New York, Dallas and Los Angeles, his point of interest was the unstoppable rhythm of these places and the people who passed through them. That is the reason why Winogrand’s photos make the spectator want to know more about what was happening outside these frames.

Moreover, his photos show two very different, but complementary, perspectives. On the one hand, Winogrand has a great sense of humor that documents the more eccentric and unusual happenings around him. And on the other hand, he demonstrates a deep understanding of how personal, social and economic circumstances affect who we are.

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The Garry Winogrand’s photography is an interesting revelation for any curious visitor because it allows to each one to find a personal way into his work. This way can be a full trip through the history of the United States in the second half of the 20^th century, familiar thanks to literature, movies or tv shows.

But, even more stimulanting, is trying to discover the stories behind the social context and the frames that Winogrand put in each photo to the everyday. In the streets of New York, Dallas or Los Angeles, his interest was the unstoppable rhythm of any place and the people who passed through them. That is the reason why Winogrand’s photos make their spectators want to know much more about what was happening or about to happen outside these frames.

Besides this, his photos show two very differents, but complementary, sensibilities. On one hand, a great sense of humor to catch the more eccentric orunusual facts around him, astonishing at any moment, and on the other a deep sensibilitie for explaining in one take how the personal, social or econonomical circunstances affect who we are.

Special note to other Shanglish students : if you haven’t completed your summary of the exhibit yet, get on it! Please email me or leave it in the comments section below as soon as you can.