Photographer Ram Rahman talked about the tradition of social documentary photography and its continuing relevance. With reference to his own work, this was a personal take on the work of Sunil Janah (india b1918), Walker Evans (USA 1903-1975), Manuel Alvarez Bravo (Mexico 1902-2002) and Brassai (France 1899-1984). Each of these photographers made a body of work which was epic in scale over many decades, strongly rooted in their own cultures. Ram talked about the nature of the medium and its documentary language. In India photojournalism has been confused with the documentary tradition which has produced what I will call the deep document. How have these photographers used a medium which is based on an optical and chemical technology common to all, yet made work which is infused with their uniquely personal cultural sensibilities?
A special highlight of the talk was on Federico Fellini and his film La Dolce Vita, and its inspiration from the 'page 3' tabloid photographers in Rome in the late 1950's, specially Tazio Secchiaroli. This is an exploration of how an artist takes from reality, the transformations they make, and how creative subjectivity enters their ouvre. Incorporating film and photography, the talk was a wide-ranging look at the relationship of photography and its role in documenting a society and its culture.
Special thanks to Dr. D.J. Mathew for approaching the film club with this initiative.
Information about Ram Rahman:
Photojournalist, artist, curator, designer and activist Ram Rahman, initially studied physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later, Rahman completed a degree in Graphic Design from Yale University, School of Art in 1979.
Born in 1955, Rahman has shown his photographs in individual and group shows in India and around the world. His most recent solo shows include, 'Bioscope: Scenes from an Eventful Life' presented by Bodhi Art at Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, in 2008; Apparao Infinity, Chennai, in 2007; 'Photo Studio / Cutouts' at India International Center, New Delhi, in 2003; and 'Visions of India: Photographs by Ram Rahman' at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, in 2002. Amongst his group shows, the most recent are 'Still Moving Images' at the Devi Art Foundation, Gurgaon, in 2008; 'Click: Contemporary Photography from India' at Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2007; 'I Fear, I Believe, I Desire' at Gallery Espace, New Delhi, also in 2007; and 'Middle Age Spread' at the National Museum, New Delhi, in 2004. Amongst the shows Rahman has curated are 'Heat : Moving Pictures Visions, Phantasms and Nightmares' at Bose Pacia, New York, in 2003; and 'Sunil Janah Photographs, A Retrospective' at Gallery 678, New York, in 1998.
Rahman is one of the founding members of the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT) in New Delhi, a leader in the resistance to communal and sectarian forces in India through its public cultural action. The artist lives and works in New Delhi.
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