Comments on: Man shoots pillow in cold blood!

Question: Man shoots pillow in cold blood!

turducken — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 19:35:09 -0800

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!

By: turducken

turducken — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 21:02:24 -0800

...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!

By: deadtrouble

deadtrouble — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 10:30:13 -0800

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.

library@icp.org

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.

By: turducken

turducken — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 12:19:14 -0800

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!

By: lairc

lairc — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 21:22:16 -0800

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.