Annie Leibovitz gallery displays cultural shifts seen throughout the 1970s

Penelope Misceo

Staff Writer

Annie Leibovitz became one of the most well-known photographers with her photos depicting 1970s and 1980s pop culture and politics.

“Annie Leibovitz. The Early Years, 1970-1983: Archive Project No. 1” opened on Feb. 14 at the Hauser and Wirth gallery, and the raw and thought-provoking images displayed have a lasting effect on viewers.

The photos document Leibovitz’s prolific career and skillfully portray the culture from the 1970s with shots of several famous figures, including John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan and Patti Smith.

The exhibit is exclusively  comprised of black and white photographs which are set up along huge wooden walls. Most photographs are part of their own series and the gallery includes multiple respective series. The various photographs  center around specific events or figures of the 1970s and 1980s that Leibovitz had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to photograph.

The photographs are arranged in chronological order and grouped by series. The chronology of the gallery allows visitors to witness Leibovitz’s artistic development over the years.

One notable series of photographs is from a shoot during her  1980 interview with John Lennon after his departure from The Beatles. Several of the photos are candids, which adds to the quality of the images. Leibovitz’s photos of Lennon represent how life significantly shifted during the start of the 1970s through the changing culture of music. By photographing Lennon’s normal, quiet behavior in a relaxed atmosphere, Leibovitz provides significant insight into his daily life.

“Annie Leibovitz The Early Years, 1970–1983: Archive Project No. 1” also features photographs of the late musician Bob Dylan. In this shoot, Leibovitz simultaneously conveyed  playful and serious tones through her unreserved photography. Included in the series are shots of Bob Dylan in front of a blank background. There are a few photographs with this background and some are serious, while others are more benevolent.

A series of photographs from the Democratic National Convention examines the rising change in politics and social movements beginning in the early 1970s. The series includes significant figures present during the convention, such as politician Dianne Feinstein, journalists and civilians. Viewers can follow every single event that occurred during the conference through Leibovitz’s close-up shots of the prominent figures of the conference hall.

Possibly one of the most well-known series of photographs in the exhibit are the photos Leibovitz took while she toured with the Rolling Stones during her time working for “Rolling Stone Magazine.” The photos include shots of the band on stage, fans running to a fence at a stadium and candids of the group backstage. The most striking picture of this series is a photo of the band performing on stage at “The Rolling Stones American Tour 1972” in San Francisco, depicting the band’s lively atmosphere at their performances. This series highlights the massive impact the band would have on the later generations of the music industry by showcasing fans’ passion for the band even in the 1970s and 1980s.

“Annie Leibovitz. The Early Years, 1970-1983: Archive Project No. 1” demonstrates the photographer’s massive achievements in depicting cultural changes throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Leibovitz’s work resonates with all viewers and will undoubtedly remain relevant long into the future as her career as a prominent photographer flourishes.

“Annie Leibovitz. The Early Years, 1970-1983: Archive Project No. 1” is open until April 14 at Hauser and Wirth. For more information on artwork and business hours, visit hauserwirth.com.