Celso Gonzalez-Falla / FOREWORD Dear Friends, It has been sixty years since Minor White, Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, Nancy and Beaumont Newhall, and others led the creation of the first issue of Aperture magazine—to promote interest in, advance, and debate about photography. Since that day, the medium has been on an extraordinary journey. In 1952 photography was not considered an art form. Today it is very much recognized as a fine art—in part, because of the work of those who started Aperture Foundation. Collectors and museums treasure their photographs, many of which were taken or inspired by the original Aperture founders. Thanks to digital technology, cell phones, and the Internet, photography is an everyday language that billions use for daily communication. Aperture Foundation has made and will continue to make a significant impact on photographic consciousness. We celebrate this accomplishment, and have an opportunity to reflect on what has happened with photography, and what our future might be. There have been dramatic changes in the way we take images, share them, and publish the results of our work. Publishing photography also has changed dramatically and will continue to change. We need to draw inspiration from the vision of our founders to adapt to the new reality. The reasons for the creation of Aperture are every bit as relevant today. We must—as they had to— understand, navigate, and shape this new exciting landscape. We thank Aperture’s founders. We cannot overstate our appreciation for their vision and commitment. We strive to uphold and advance their legacy. We also thank Paul Strand and his wife Hazel for their immense contribution to Aperture. We thank the late Michael Hoffman, who led Aperture for thirty-five years and made us America’s leading photobook publisher. It is not possible to name the hundreds of individual photographers—many featured through their work in this catalog—whose contributions have defined Aperture, but please know that your work continually touches and inspires us in countless ways. When we celebrate Aperture, it is your vision, talents, and work that we celebrate. We also thank the hundreds of writers, editors, patrons, and subscribers who have been equally important members of our community. I know that many of you have played a direct role in shaping and supporting Aperture. We owe you a great debt of gratitude. Let us celebrate Aperture’s sixtieth anniversary, and, together, look forward to an exciting future. Sincerely,
Celso Gonzalez-Falla
Chairman, Board of Trustees