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What to me is anathema - a corpse-like, outmoded hangover…

“What to me is anathema - a corpse-like, outmoded hangover - is for photography to be a bad excuse for another medium. ... Is not photography good enough in itself, that it must be made to look like something else, supposedly superior?” quote by Berenice Abbott
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“What to me is anathema - a corpse-like, outmoded hangover - is for photography to be a bad excuse for another medium. ... Is not photography good enough in itself, that it must be made to look like something else, supposedly superior?”

Berenice Abbott

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote critiques photography’s tendency to imitate other art forms instead of valuing its own unique qualities.

In simple terms: Photography should stand on its own merits.

Key Takeaway

Embrace photography’s distinct voice.

Themes

art criticism medium identity authenticity

Mood

reflective critical

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • gallery exhibitions
  • art education
  • creative practice
  • media criticism

Key Concepts

aesthetic theory media hierarchy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can photographers celebrate their medium’s strengths?
  • What does “bad excuse” reveal about artistic hierarchy?
A Different Perspective

May overlook photography’s potential for interdisciplinary dialogue.

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