Aaron Siskin Biography

One of the most influential photographers is Aaron Siskind. He greatly influenced

abstract photography and turned the medium of it on its head, giving a whole new

perspective, quite literally.

Aaron was born the fifth sibling of six children in New York City, New York, on

December 4th, 1903. He was the son of a Russian-Jewish immigrant family, however his

parent’s names are unknown. As he progressed through his schooling, Siskind discovered

an interest in the arts. At first, he focused on poetry and music. Siskind also attended

college, and graduated with a bachelor in Sciences. Aaron taught English for about 21

years, until his interest in photography later bloomed in 1930, when a camera was gifted

to him as a wedding gift. He married Sidonia Glaller.

Then Aaron was offered a position in the Photo League because of his dedication to

photography. He later became the director of this organization in 1936. Five years later,

in 1941, Siskind had a falling out with the league because his photography was seem as

unusual and out of place, therefore he was not considered a part of this anymore. In turn,

his losses lead to a support network of colleagues that pushed him to pursue his form of

photography.

This brought many achievements and opportunities to Siskind, such as an instructor

position at the Chicago Institute of Design from 1961 to 1971. He also received many

awards for his photos, mostly focused on black and white abstract photography. Siskind

is one of the many photographers who were able to change the medium of photography.
This photo taken by Aaron Siskind has a mysterious aura around it. The person in the reflection is not
present at all, only in the mirror, which to me reminds me of the saying that monsters cannot see
themselves in the mirror. I feel this is an interpretation of this concept.

In this photo, a woman is laying back in her chair, seeming to be comfortable. That is not the case,
though. I feel this picture entitles that she is tense, and the lamp hanging above her is an objective
representation of a presence of feeling looming over her.

I feel that I can relate to this photo. When I saw this photo, I felt as if the man was taking in life. He
was taking in the vast abundance of life, and that it is so much it cannot be put in a single photo. This
photo gives me a happy and grateful feeling.