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When the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art mounted an exhibition of
vernacular photographs in 2000, they called the pictures the
“crème-de-la-snapshot,” adding that the exhibition “sheds new light on one of
the most prolific and eccentric artists of our century: ‘Photographer
Unknown.’’’
John Foster, a St. Louis artist, designer, and collector of found
art, says that he and his wife, Teenuh, search far and wide for photographs for
their collection. “I’d say about 99 percent of what we go through is kind of
boring,” he admits. “But once in awhile, we get lucky and stumble onto
greatness. That’s what keeps us searching through all those dusty
boxes.”
John calls the pieces in his and Teenuh’s collection “Accidental
Mysteries,” and he is writing a book by the same name, to be published in 2009.
“I’m deeply moved by the ability of these pictures to communicate, across time
and in different contexts, meaning their makers may not have intended for them
to convey.”
(c) Part of the intrigue of vernacular photographs is wondering how they slid
from family hands and ended up at a flea market. “They invite viewers to become
storytellers,” says collector John Foster.
Lost and Found
An exhibit of John and Teenuh Foster’s “Accidental Mysteries” will be on
display at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, through January 27,
2008. For more information, visit accidental
mysteries.com. For a list of
helpful links about vernacular photography, visit
http://oook.info/nsfaces/vernacular.html.
Snappy Memories page
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