Keith Haring, Futura 2000, and Alba Clemente at a birthday party for one of Francesco and Alba Clemente’s children, two color snapshots, c. 1985 Size: 5 x 3.5 inches each
What exactly is a snapshot? A snapshot can usually be identified by its small size and inexpensive production at a commercial photo lab. What makes snapshots special though, what separates them from most pictures taken by professional photographers, is their inherent intimacy. Most snapshots are taken spontaneously in the course of life, and often imply a personal connection between the subject and the photographer.
The above snapshots of Keith Haring and of Futura 2000 with Alba Clemente were taken by a guest at a private event, a birthday party for one of Alba and Francesco Clemente’s children. The snapshot below shows gallerist Massimo Audiello and artist and Restaurant Florent hostess Darinka Novitovic, with stylist and photographer Maripol and curator Diego Cortez mugging for the camera at an unidentified gallery opening. It is likely that the photographer was friends with these art world celebrities, or, at the very least, admired and identified with their style.
To collect ephemera is to recognize that beyond their transitory interest, ephemeral paper items often also have a lasting value that adds to our knowledge of the past. Gallery 98 now includes snapshots of artists and art events as part of our inventory of art ephemera. You can see more on our Art World Snapshots page.
Massimo Audiello, Darinka Novitovic, Maripol, Diego Cortez, color snapshot, mid-1980s. Size: 3.5 x 5 inches
