Laughlin, Clarence John. The Autonomous Spiral, 1949 (printed before 1979). gelatin silver print, Image: 34.1 x 26.9 cm (13 7/16 x 10 9/16 in.); Paper: 34.1 x 26.9 cm (13 7/16 x 10 9/16 in.); Mounted: 43.3 x 35.5 cm (17 1/16 x 14 in.). Gift of Tom E. Hinson and Diana S. Tittle, 2018.254. Copyrighted.

The Autonomous Spiral

1949 (printed before 1979)

Clarence John Laughlin

Clarence John Laughlin (American, 1905–1985)

Photography

The Autonomous Spiral, 1949 (printed before 1979). Clarence John Laughlin (American, 1905–1985). Gelatin silver print; image: 34.1 x 26.9 cm (13 7/16 x 10 9/16 in.); paper: 34.1 x 26.9 cm (13 7/16 x 10 9/16 in.); mounted: 43.3 x 35.5 cm (17 1/16 x 14 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Tom E. Hinson and Diana S. Tittle 2018.254 Laughlin’s depiction of a staircase transcends architectural documentation to become both a geometric exploration and a dream-like, surreal vision. He gives us a vertiginous view looking up rather than down, warping space through the use of light and shadow and the flattened perspective imposed by his choice of lens. The spiral staircase is a common feature of Creole architecture found throughout Louisiana.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Laughlin, Clarence John
Classification: Photograph
Formatted Medium: gelatin silver print
Medium: gelatin, silver, print
Dimensions: Image: 34.1 x 26.9 cm (13 7/16 x 10 9/16 in.); Paper: 34.1 x 26.9 cm (13 7/16 x 10 9/16 in.); Mounted: 43.3 x 35.5 cm (17 1/16 x 14 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: Written in black ink on recto of mount: “The Autonomous Spiral: 1949 Clarence John Laughlin (signed)”
Departments: Photography
Accession Number: 2018.254
Credit Line: Gift of Tom E. Hinson and Diana S. Tittle
Rights Statement: Copyrighted