The Evolution of Photography in Modern Art: From Pop to the Digital Age

Andy Grundberg arrived in New York in the early 1970s as an aspiring writer when photography was on the fringes of the art world. By the time he stepped down as a critic for The New York Times in 1991, photography had become a focal point of artistic discourse. Grundberg eloquently documents photography's evolution during its "boom years," showcasing its growing prominence within major art movements like Earth Art, Conceptual Art, performance, and video. He also examines how photography gained recognition in museums and galleries and became entangled in the cultural battles of the 80s and 90s. Reflecting on pivotal exhibitions and his interactions with renowned photographers like Gordon Matta-Clark, Cindy Sherman, and Robert Mapplethorpe, Grundberg explores themes such as photography's connection to theory, feminism, and artists of color. This blend of memoir and history, penned by a prominent critic of that era, offers a broader narrative of the crucial 70s and 80s through the lens of photography.