Man shoots pillow in cold blood!

December 19, 2006 7:35 PM

WeegeeFilter: Help me identify a photo by the late, great Arthur Fellig.

About 10 years ago, I bought a Weegee photo that's very similar to one that was included in the ICP's recent "Unknown Weegee" show. My photo is basically a pillow on a bed in some kind of cheap hotel; the ICP's print is a heart-shaped pillow on a similar bed, and the 12th image on this page from the museum's website.

So -- Does anyone know the backstory (how/when/why) of this photo set? I checked out the museum catalogue when I saw the ICP show, and there was no mention of it. The Weej took zillions of photos, so it could have been anything, from an advertising gig to (hopefully) something more sinister. Thanks much!

posted by turducken to media & arts (4 comments total)

...On second thought, I'm trying to decide between a Wii and a BMW 525i, my scalp tingles when I take a leak, and I think I may be in love with a co-worker whose cat bumps my leg whenever I visit. Are we all gay? Please hope me, hive mind!
posted by turducken at 9:02 PM on December 20, 2006

You might try emailing the ICP's library to see if they have any info on the photo. I'm working on an exhibition of Modernist Photos right now, including some of Weegee's work, but unfortunately this photo is not one I'm familiar with.

[e-mail]

They may be able to tell you if it's ever been published in a book, which could lead to something. Sorry I'm not more help.
posted by deadtrouble at 10:30 AM on December 21, 2006

Thanks, deadtrouble. I did email the ICP a few months ago, but no response. (It was torture even getting an email address from the minions there.) As a former museum curator myself, I chalked it up not to indifference or bad PR, but to the fact that they probably have no idea where the image came from. The lack of mention in the catalogue seems glaring to me, so I thought I'd try my luck here.

There needs to be a real monograph on Weegee that covers all the less spectacular aspects of his work -- his Hollywood phase, for example. Insane stuff, with captions typed by Weegee himself, that no one has ever exhibited!
posted by turducken at 12:19 PM on December 21, 2006

I was reading the question on Google reader and hoping that ICP wasn't Insane Clown Posse. Thank you hive mind for allowing me to retain faith.
posted by lairc at 9:22 PM on December 22, 2006