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Exhibitions at The Research Libraries Where Do We Go from Here? The Photo League and Its Legacy (1936-2006)From October 27, 2006 through February 18, 2007 See related Online Exhibition.  Lewis Hine's "Two Mill Workers", ca. 1905. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs, Print Collection In January of 1948, the photographer Walter Rosenblum published the article "Where Do We Go from Here?" in response to the blacklisting of the Photo League by Attorney General Tom Clark. Disregarding the actual photographs produced by the League's members, the FBI emphasized the organization's commitment to social causes in order to allege subversive activities and political alliances. The claims of subversion were never substantiated, but the Photo League, a cooperative of amateur and professional photographers, was forced to disband in 1951 after an informant testified that it was a front for the Communist party. Now recognized as an important force in the development of American photography, the Photo League trained an entire generation of New York photographers, a number of whom continue to practice today. In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the League's founding, this exhibition celebrates the diverse oeuvre of these photographers and their unflagging commitment to their medium. It also serves as a reminder that the political climate of the nation can have real consequences on its cultural life. Exhibition Brochure (PDF - 1.4 MB) |