Mann & mankind

My bullshit detector has fresh batteries.
My tolerance for crappy art has reached an all-time low.
So it gives me great pleasure to recommend the Sally Mann show at Gagosian uptown. She's photographing her husband, Larry, who has MS. He retains his dignity, as is her way. The wet collodion process, ancient and fallable, lets her use it as a metaphor for his aging body. {Maybe.} The results are awesome, in the sense of inspiring awe.
I could say Larry still has a fantastic ass, and I could say bring a hankie. Viewer's call.



Sally Mann, "Proud Flesh" at Gagosian
980 Madison Ave. / 76 st.
212-744-2313
through Oct.31
www.gagosian.com/exhibitions/2009-09-15_sally-mann/

images, from top:

"Semaphore", 2003
Gelatin silver print
15 x 13 1/2 inches (38.1 x 31.3 cm)
Edition of 5

"Hephaestus", 2008
Gelatin Silver print
15 x 13 1/2 inches (38.1 x 31.3 cm)
Edition of 5