Relic of the Lower East Side

Objet musée

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Inventory number : 14833
Title : Relic of the Lower East Side
Controlled denomination : Photographie d'art
Object designation : Tirage d'une photographie de l'artiste américain Ken Ratner, circa 1992
Matériaux : Papier
Techniques : Tirage/impression (?)
Dimensions : 20,0 cm x 30,0 cm
Acquisition method : don
Source of acquisition :
Related people/organisations : Ratner, Ken
Dating (period) : vers 1992 (prise de vue)
Production date : 1992
Geographical provenance : USA, New York, Lower East Side
Informations historiques : "Firstly, I would be remiss if I did not mention how deeply saddened I was by the unspeakable tragedy that occurred at the museum. My heartfelt condolences to all. I write to you to offer Musee Juif de Belgique a donation one of my finest photographs. I have visited Brussels on 3 occasions and have very fond memories of the city. Recently, the Musee de la Charleroi accepted 2 of my photographs for their collection. For the past 25 years, I have focused my photography on the urban scene, particularly in New York City where I work and reside. I am drawn to humanity, and many of my photographs have a documentary feel, although a number have a modern aesthetic. Berenice Abbott, Lewis Hine, Helen Levitt and Walter Rosenblum have all inspired my work, as well as the Ashcan School artists. I shoot in black and white and in a 6 x 4 format. The photograph should you accept my donation offer would be a 8 x 12 inches gelatin silver print. My work has been exhibited at the Cahoon Museum of American Art (please see attached bulletin page), and can be found in the permanent collections of the Delaware Art Museum, the Hunter Museum of American Art, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, the Museum of Chinese in America, Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, Binghamton University Art Museum, La Salle University Art Museum, Mennello Museum of American Art, Housatonic Museum of Art, Frederic R. Weisman Art Museum and the American Italian Heritage Museum. As I mentioned, Musee de Photography a Charleroi has recently accepted 2 of my photographs for their permanent collection, and a major Ohio museum will be accepting my donation as a year end gift. I am pleased to offer Musee Juif de Belgique a gelatin silver print of one of my finest photographs, Relic of the Lower East Side. The photograph has historical importance in that the Lower East Side in the early years of the last century was a portal to America for the hundreds of thousands of Jews who emigrated from Eastern Europe. Sadly, the area today has very few Jews left. I took the photograph of the orthodox man walking on the Lower East Side ca. 1992. The photograph is from a very small edition and is signed in felt tip pen, titled and dated verso and in pristine condition." I invite you to look over 135 of my photos uploaded on a board titled "In Search of Humanity: The Photographs of Ken Ratner." http://www.pinterest.com/kenratner/in-search-of-humanity-the-photographs-of-ken-ratne/ Lastly, I am including my entry on AskART. I have not as yet updated the entry noting the names of museums who have acquired my photographs for their collections. I am waiting for the Ohio institution to announce their acquisition so I can do this all at the same time. http://www.askart.com/askart/artist.aspx?artist=11232654 I have attached a PDF of the AskART listing. It would be an honor to have one of my photographs in the collection Musee Juif de Belgique and to be able to share with the public.