Aaron Siskind, born in NYC, would soon grow up and be discovered for his innovations of

abstract photography. Aaron being the fifth sibling from his family, never really spent any time

at home as he always was fascinated with the street events. In his teenage years he joined the

Junior Young People’s Socialist League. Being a bright student he was interested in music and

poetry and right after he graduated from high school he majored in English at The City College

of New York. He then graduated from college in NYC in 1926 & taught English until 1930 when

he first began to recognize and become interested in photography. While he attended his college

literacy club, he would soon meet Barnett Newman and Adolph Gottlieb, they would soon

become leading figures of American painting. In 1929, Aaron married Sidonie Glatter who was a

very artistic and intelligent lady. On His 26th birthday, Siskind was given a camera and that is

when his journey began. He would document scenes of his NYC neighborhood and 3 years later

in 1933, he felt skilled enough to join Workers Film and Photo League after teaching himself all

he knew about photography. By 1937, Aaron’s contributions to photography were finally being

acknowledged but unfortunately around the same time his wife had mental problems and had to

be put in a mental hospital. 7 years later, Aaron lost his wife to annulment and this was reflected

by a set of photographs that document the destruction of New York Civic Theatre. For the past

several years Siskind was involved with the project, Dead End: The Bowery , Park Avenue

North and South and the acclaimed Harlem Document. His black and white photographs

demonstrated a focus on visual composition and aesthetic order. In 1940, Siskind resigned from

his group and in 1946, his photographs were included in the Museum of Modern Art’s.

Following this, he received his first solo show at Charles Egan Gallery NYC, in 1947. In the

1950’s Siskind continued his journey of capturing abstract elements and exhibiting them

throughout the United States. Following the 50’s, He continued meeting students in the 80’s and
to discuss the work of abstract. Siskind would then be pronounced dead at the age 87, leaving

behind his abstract for the entire world to see.

I choose this picture because I think it looks like a piece of newspaper that

Has been damaged by water and the black and white make the picture

Look amazing

I like this picture because i like how detailed the rock is with black

And white and it just makes the photo stand out alot

I like this picture because i see a wooden piece with a hole in it which seems to be a

Piece of sheet metal covering the rest of the wood. Almost like a shield for the wood