Vivian Maier, Sabine Weiss: Made in USA
Sabine Weiss and Vivian Maier – Made in USA Two remarkable photographers, Sabine Weiss and Vivian Maier, share a profound connection despite their distinct backgrounds and paths in life. Sabine Weiss, born in 1924, originally from Switzerland, later became a French citizen, while Vivian Maier, born in 1926 in America, had French ancestry from the Champsaur region in the Alps. Both artists found their canvas in the streets, capturing the essence of humanity through their lenses with a keen sense of empathy.
Sabine Weiss pursued photography professionally, while Vivian Maier, although also talented, spent much of her life caring for children, dedicating her spare moments to her passion for photography. Despite their differing approaches and levels of recognition—Sabine gaining international acclaim relatively quickly, and Vivian’s work remaining undiscovered until after her death in 2007—their dedication to the craft was unwavering.
This unique exhibition, Sabine Weiss-Vivian Maier – Made in USA, marks a significant milestone, bringing together their works in the heart of American cities—New York, Chicago, Washington, Philadelphia—which played a pivotal role in shaping their artistic journeys. Through this exhibition, their shared curiosity for everyday life and profound attention to detail in capturing facial expressions, body language, and attire are showcased. It underscores the pivotal role photography played in their lives, serving as a medium for their genuine artistic expression and exploration of the human experience.
About the Authors
Vivian Dorothea Maier, an American amateur street photographer born in New York City but raised in France, spent over forty years working as a nanny in Chicago, IL. Despite her unassuming profession, Maier’s true passion lay in capturing the world around her through her camera lens. Over the years, she amassed around 100,000 photographs, primarily focusing on Chicago’s people and cityscapes, though her travels also inspired her photography worldwide.
Maier’s remarkable body of work remained largely unknown until 2007 when it was discovered by local Chicago historian and collector, John Maloof. Since then, her photographs have received widespread critical acclaim, being exhibited internationally and featured in numerous publications. The 2011 publication of “Vivian Maier: Street Photographer” further solidified her legacy as a groundbreaking photographer.
Despite the attention her work garnered, much of Maier’s personal life remains shrouded in mystery. Born to Maria Jaussaud and Charles Maier, she moved between the U.S. and France during her childhood, with details about her early years still emerging. Maier settled in Chicago in the 1950s, where she worked as a nanny while pursuing her photographic endeavors in her spare time.
Maier’s unconventional lifestyle and eccentricities, such as her preference for men’s clothing and her solitary nature, intrigued those around her. She devoted her days off to roaming the streets with her camera, capturing moments of urban life with an unmatched curiosity and keen eye.
Financial struggles and health issues plagued Maier in her later years, leading to periods of homelessness and eventual placement in a nursing home. Despite these challenges, her passion for photography never wavered, leaving behind a vast archive of unseen work upon her death in 2009.
From her humble beginnings with a Kodak Brownie to her later experimentation with color photography, Vivian Maier’s journey as a photographer is a testament to her unwavering dedication to her craft, even in the face of adversity.
Born in Switzerland in 1924, Sabine Weiss embarked on her journey in photography in 1942, driven by her passion for the art form. Influenced by her upbringing, where her mother introduced her to art galleries and Roman churches, and her father, a researcher-chemist, encouraged her printing endeavors, Weiss found her calling in capturing moments through her lens.
After apprenticing at Boissonnas in Geneva from 1942 to 1945, Sabine Weiss established herself in a studio in Geneva. However, in 1946, she made the bold decision to relocate to Paris, a move she knew was irreversible. Under the mentorship of Willy Maywald, she honed her skills and crossed paths with painter Hugh Weiss, whom she would spend her life with.
Throughout her illustrious career, Weiss delved into various genres of photography, from fashion to photojournalism and advertising, showcasing her versatility and mastery of the craft. Yet, amidst her professional pursuits, she found solace in capturing the essence of humanity in its simplest form during her leisure time.
Weiss’s candid street photography, characterized by its spontaneity and authenticity, caught the attention of renowned figures like Edward Steichen, who included three of her images in his seminal exhibition “The Family of Man.” Her work graced the pages of esteemed publications such as The New York Times, Newsweek, LIFE, Vogue, and Elle, while also receiving commissions from prestigious institutions like NATO.
Despite her widespread acclaim, Weiss remained dedicated to capturing fleeting moments, emphasizing the importance of spontaneity in her work. As she aptly puts it, “All the pictures I take are entirely instant. What I like is to make an instant picture. Even if there are no people, I like the click, click, click. I never wait.”
In recent years, Sabine Weiss has focused on exhibitions that highlight the humanist aspect of her photography, considering it the cornerstone of her body of work. As she celebrates her 95th birthday, her legacy as a pioneering photographer continues to inspire generations.
Vivian Maier, Sabine Weiss: Made in USA
11 APRIL – 25 MAY 2024
Les Douches La Galerie – Paris – France
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