International Center for Photography: Dress Codes

I had the pleasure of visiting ICP's third annual triennial of video and photography. The show was very effective, well organized, and thought-provoking. Immediately upon entering the space Mickalene Thomas's large color images of Black women looking provocative and poised with convidence confronts the viewers. On the wall adjacent to hers, the work of Olga Chernysheva rested politely. Hers were large as well, but were black and white and of the documentary type. Clearly a decision was mad to place these two very different works together to create a break in viewing the same types of work.

The exhibit really questioned what consituted a photograph by featuring collages, light-box transparencies, teared magazine pages, and other printed materials. Although the shows entire theme surrounded itself around fashion its relationship to society, it covered a diverse range of topics. From Black womanhood, alienation, the notion of gender roles, and urbanization, to consumerism, and classism. Two thumbs up.