GB/USA 1995, 52 min.

Directed by: Sylvain Roumette

Appearing: Lee Miller, David Scherman, Anthony Penrose, and others

 

Lee Miller, actually Elizabeth “Lee” Miller, was a well known American photographer. She was born on 23.04.1907 in Poughkeepsie, New York. Thanks to her father (Theodore Miller), her exploration of photography began as a child. At a young age, she posed as a “model” for her dad in his amateur photographs. As time passed, she began working at modelling agencies, including Vogue. At the age of 21, she moved to Paris. There, she met the well-known artist Man Ray. She became his assistant, muse and lover. Together they created a large number of photographic projects. She moved among the bohemian set in Paris. Her circle of friends included Pablo Picasso, Paul Eluard and Jean Cocteau. After finishing her collaboration with Man Ray, she was to be found ever more frequently on the other side of the lens. In 1932 she opened her own photographic studio in New York. Initially she documented the 1930s artistic life of the city.  She was also interested in surreal photography. After the outbreak of the Second World War she decided to travel around Europe as a correspondent for Vogue, Conde Nast Publications, and others, immortalising the drama of war in her work. When the war ended, she moved to England with her husband (Roland Penrose). Once again she photographed normal daily life. Her strong memories of the war and unhappy marriage manifested themselves in depression. Lee Miller died of cancer on 21.07.1977 at the age of 70.

 

 

16.05.2011, 7:00 p.m.

Manggha Japanese Museum of Art and Technology, ul. M. Konopnickiej 26