![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.artloversnewyork.com\/zine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/wiliam-christenberry-July-6.jpg\" "\\"wiliam-christenberry-July-6\\"")
<\/a>\nAmerican photographer WILLIAM CHRISTENBERRY<\/strong> at the opening of an extensive retrospective of his work, titled: ‘William Christenberry Photographs: 1961-2005’, APERTURE FOUNDATION GALLERY, CHELSEA, NYC. JULY 6, 2006.
\nPHOTO: NANCY SMITH<\/p>\n
born in 1936, at the time of this opening William Christenberry<\/strong> was a vigorous 70 . . . WILLIAM CHRISTENBERRY (1936-) KUDZU<\/strong> is actually a “climbing, coiling, trailing vine” that climbs over trees or shrubs (or houses !!) and grows so rapidly it kills its
\nhe comes to mind – because of the way 2012 – is unfurling, art-wise. I came across these pix – as I searched thru my hard copy 35mm archive for the Eric White photo, previous post. the photos were taken in the same month, July – back in the summer of 2006 . . . they rang so true – I had to put them – up !!<\/p>\n
\n“Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1936, William Christenberry grew up in the ‘deep south’ where the old road signs, deteriorating buildings, and dirt roads shaped his boyhood memories. In 1954, Christenberry began his academic career at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa where he studied the fine arts and graduated with a Master of Arts in Painting in 1959. During his early career, Christenberry was primarily a painter, but began incorporating the use of a Brownie camera into his working procedures. In 1961 he moved to New York<\/strong> (that would make him 25 !! take note – oh, current Brooklyn hipsters !!) <\/em> . . . It was here that Christenberry befriended Walker Evans<\/strong>” (!!) . . . “Christenberry believes that all objects leave their individual mark on the landscape as time passes, even when the object is destroyed in reality.” – source: AMERICAN ART\/PHILLIPS COLLECTION <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nPHOTO by WILLIAM CHRISTENBERRY
\nWilliam Christenberry is known for his iconic photos of the American south . . . where he grew up.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nPHOTO by WILLIAM CHRISTENBERRY
\nsome of the most fascinating images were the portraits of a shrub-like weed called KUDZU, ‘devouring’ abandoned houses. <\/p>\n<\/a>
\ndetail, PHOTO by WILLIAM CHRISTENBERRY<\/p>\n
\nhost by its heavy shading, which deprives them of light. wow – it’s a plant-eater, house-destroyer – organic bio hazard kill-ah.
\nNative to Japan – this predator weed was most interestingly introduced (unknowingly ? I’m guessing . . ) into the United States through the Japanese Pavilion of the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. (!!) It is now “common among roadsides and other undisturbed areas throughout most of the southeastern United States. Kadzu has been spreading at the rate of 150,000 acres annually.” (!!) source: WIKIPEDIA\/KADZU<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nPHOTO by WILLIAM CHRISTENBERRY – an old house, just about to be ‘organically’ – bio-attacked and accelerated in its natural decomposition !!
\nand looks to be, not just by Kudzu, either. all the other ‘domestic’ southern vegetation is taking over, too.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\ndetail, PHOTO by WILLIAM CHRISTENBERRY<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nPHOTO by WILLIAM CHRISTENBERRY . .. oh oh – pretty far gone.<\/p>\n