60 Years of Magnum

The section "60 Years of Magnum" in the Istanbul Modern Photography Gallery, part of the "Magnum by Turkey" exhibition in Istanbul Modern, presented a selection of works spanning from the foundation of the organization to the present. This section exhibited events, quotations, and sixty-five photographs which have become milestones in the history of photography, as well as sixty-nine publications by Magnum.

Magnum Photos was founded in 1947 by four photographers Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, George Rodger and David Seymour, who were directly affected by the war in the atmosphere of uncertainty after World War II. Established under the leadership of Capa and Seymour in the psychological destruction of the war, Magnum Photos soon became one of the most important agencies in the world, convinced in the power of photography to document world events and to arouse awareness. The choice and length of reportage, editing control, ownership of negatives and originals, management of copyright and distribution: all the attributes linked to the status of author were established from the very start. Attracted by this energy and sharing the same ethics, other photographers joined them, giving birth to one of the most original and prestigious creative co-operatives in the world.

Present on all fronts, on all continents, they have captured with their unique vision the important events of our time, from conflicts to revolutions, as well as everyday moments and personalities from the world of art and culture. They have created icons, which, widely distributed in the international press, are now part of our collective memory. At once witness and artist, they claim this double identity, transcending the cleavages and codes of the editorial and contemporary art worlds.

From Henri Cartier-Bresson‘s “decisive moment” to Raymond Depardon’s “moments of weakness”, from Gilles Peress’ “documentary archaeology” to Lise Sarfati‘s “inner landscapes”, from Josef Koudelka’s “constructed poems” to Martin Parr’s “consumerist clichés”, Magnum photographers have proved to be witnesses and artists at the same time. Their unique vision asserts itself through books and exhibitions inspiring younger photographers in turn.

In the exhibition, many books from Magnum publications such as Henri Cartier-Bresson The Decisive Moment and Les Européens, Ian Berry Living Apart and The English, Bruno Barbey Les Italiens and Martin Parr Common Sense were also presented.

Artists: Abbas, Bruno Barbey, Robert Capa, Antoine d’Agata, Nikos Economopoulos, Leonard Freed, Harry Gruyaert, Jim Goldberg, Ara Güler, Erich Lessing, Costa Manos, Martin Parr, Gilles Peress, Paolo Pellegrin, Gueorgui Pinkhassov, Alex Webb

Curators: Diane Dufour, Julien Chapsal