✨AI Reimagines the Masters✨ Paul Strand|274/1000

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Introduce briefly

Paul Strand (1890-1976) was an American photographer and filmmaker who played a significant role in establishing photography as an art form in the 20th century. Alongside renowned photographers like Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Weston, Strand helped shape the modernist movement in photography [1].

Background:

Paul Strand was born Nathaniel Paul Stransky on October 16, 1890, in New York City [1].

He developed an interest in photography at a young age when his father gave him a camera as a gift [1].

As a teenager, he studied under documentary photographer Lewis Hine at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School [1].

Strand's visit to the 291 art gallery, operated by Stieglitz and Edward Steichen, inspired him to take photography more seriously [1].

His early work, such as the famous "Wall Street" photograph, experimented with formal abstractions and reflected his interest in social reform [1].

Contributions:

Strand was one of the founders of the Photo League, an association of photographers dedicated to using their art for social and political causes [1].

He was involved in both still photography and filmmaking throughout his career [1].

His first film, "Manhatta" (1921), showcased the daily life of New York City and featured a shot similar to his famous "Wall Street" photograph [1].

Strand worked on various films, including "Redes" (1936) and "Native Land" (1942), which had pro-union and anti-fascist themes [1].

His diverse body of work spans six decades and covers numerous genres and subjects across the Americas, Europe, and Africa [1].

Later Years and Personal Life:

In 1949, Strand left the United States and spent the remaining 27 years of his life in Orgeval, France, where he continued his creative pursuits [1].

He married three times, with his third wife, Hazel Kingsbury Strand, assisting him in his creative endeavors [1].

Strand's departure to France coincided with the first libel trial of his friend Alger Hiss, and he cited McCarthyism as a reason for leaving the United States [1].

He maintained correspondence with Hiss and was closely associated with individuals involved in left-leaning politics and organizations [1].

Strand's books were printed in Leipzig, East Germany, during the 1950s due to a specific printing process, even though their Communist provenance initially led to their ban in the American market [1].

He was closely monitored by security services, as revealed in de-classified intelligence files [1].

Publications and Exhibitions:

Strand's significant works include "Time in New England" (1950), "La France de Profil" (1952), "Un Paese" (1955), "Tir a'Mhurain / Outer Hebrides" (1962), "Living Egypt" (1969), and "Ghana: An African Portrait" (1976) [1].