Normalize the Marginalized

The Great Depression

Starting in 1929 and ending in the late 1930s, The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that started in the United States. It was the longest depression ever experienced by the industrialized Western world, sparking fundamental changes in economic institutions and economic theory. Although it originated in the United States, the Great Depression caused drastic declines in output and caused severe unemployment and deflation in almost every country of the world. Its social and cultural effects were no less staggering, especially in the United States, where the Great Depression represented the harshest adversity faced by Americans since the Civil War. While growing up in the 1930s, Diane Arbus was insulated by the depression due to her family's wealth. The depression was both human suffering and extreme changes in economic policy. Until the recovery period beggining in the late 30s and early 40s, people lost all hope of returning to normaility which impacted them for years to come.

Amadeo, Kimberly. "Effects of the great depression." Effects of the Great Depression (thebalance.com) Accessed Mar 26 2022. 

National Muesuem of American History. "The Great Depression." Great Depression | National Museum of American History Accessed Mar 26 2022. 

Fiorillo, Steve. "Great Depression: Causes, Effects, and Timelines." Great Depression: Causes, Effects and History - TheStreet Accessed Mar 26 2022. 

Love Lost

 During Diane Arbus's late teenage years, she found herself separated from her lavish childhood. Diane's parents were never invested in raising their children, they were mostly raised by maids and other staff around their house. The father, David Nemerov, was always busy with work in the department store and her mother, Gertrude, had a very busy social life. With Diane's parents barely around, Diane attended the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, a world class ivy preporatory school. At the age of 18, Diane married her childhood sweethart Allan Arbus. These two were very supportive of each other in their commercial photography business. In 1956, Diane left the business to start her own independent relationship with photography, Allan still supported her. But by the end of 1959, Diane and Allan separated. They still retained a close relationship with each other, they contined to share the same dark room for photography and worked with each other on a regualr basis. By 1969, the couple divorced and went on their separate ways. Diane throughout her life has experienced some very personal disconnections. From not having loving and caring parents growing up to divorcing her childhood sweethart, Diane definitely had troubles in her personal life. 

Diane's Legacy

Throughout Diane's life, she was one of americas best known photographers and also most controversial photographers. Best known as "Photographers of freaks." Diane would frequently visit freak shows, bodybuilding competitions, youth gang meetings, and beauty contests. Here, Diane would find those who were outcasted and live on the margins of society. She commonly used the word "Freaks" not as a degrading statement to these people, but to call them arisitocrats. The people behind her photography don't have to dread through life wondering what may happen, it has already happened to them. Throughout this time period in Diane's life, she published in magazines and personal projects gaining more attention. In 1967, she displayed her firsr museum exhibit at the Museum of modern art. The exhibit featured her ceremony photgraphs, candid portraits and street photgraphy. This was at the height of Diane Arbus's career. 

Docent Story 

Diane Arbus was born in New York City in 1923. Diane was born into a lavish lifestyle. Her parents were very wealthy for the time period and Diane was shielded from world conflicts that others could not avoid like the Great Depression and World War II. Diane's experience of privelige was humiliating in her eyes, almost like she had a bubble around her protecting herself from trouble. Diane believed she hasn't been tested against adversity, so she sought it out in the world around her. Diane found that in her photgraphy. After leaving her family behind, she created a new type of photography that no one has seen before and it becomes very popularized and controversial. Her work portrayed a sympathy to the viewer. It displayed an affection to the photograph she took and gives a new idea to the viewer. Diane's work "Young man and his pregnant wife in Washington Square Park." gives us that representation she was trying to display to us. The couple, one being a black man and the white women who is pregnant gives us the feeling a sympathy when thinking about what is happening in that photo. In 1971, Diane took her own life by ingesting lethal sedatives and cutting her wrists. Her photography was celebrated by it's compassion that she gave to the viewer. 

"Biography of Diane Arbus." The Art Story.  Diane Arbus Biography, Life & Quotes | TheArtStory Accessed Mar 29. 2022

"Diane Arbus: One of Americas best known and most inspiratioanal photographer." ISO 1200 Magazine. Diane Arbus: One of America’s best Known and Most Inspirational Photographer - Blog Photography Tips - ISO 1200 Magazine. Accessed Mar 29. 2022

"Diane Arbus Biography." Biography Editors Diane Arbus - Death, Photography & Facts - Biography. Accessed Mar 29. 2022