“Documentarian of Place” by Todd Webb and “Manhattan Moments” by Ken Ratner at the USJ Art Museum

Written by Isabella Rusate

Being located in West Hartford, we are fortunate to be surrounded by an abundance of great art. However, this opportunity is right at our doorstep. The USJ Art Museum is proud to host the exhibit: “Documentarian of Place”: Photographs by Todd Webb and “Manhattan Moments”: Photographs by Ken Ratner. Both of these artists capture city life in a stunning way with a sense of refreshing clarity, bringing the viewer along on their journey to capture the beauty in everyday life.

Todd Webb (1905-2000) moved to New York City to begin his career as a professional photographer after World War II. From 1955-1956, he walked from New York to San Francisco to record the pioneer trails of early settlers. Most of the photos in the exhibit feature Webb’s photographs of New York, but photographs from his travels to other places, such as San Francisco, Mexico, and Paris, will be on display as well. Personally, I find the photos of 1940’s postwar New York to be the most fascinating!

Ken Ratner seeks to capture the human condition through his photography. He states, “photography, for me, is a deeply moving and exhilarating experience. I am most interested in the commonplace and constantly strive to create photographs that are meaningful and evocative. I would like for people to feel what I felt when I photographed.” Ratner’s ability to capture the mundane and transform it into a work of art is truly admirable.

If you missed this exhibit, be sure to catch the next one: “A House Divided: Photography of the Civil War” from the private collection of Michael Mattis and Judy Hochberg, opening March 21st!

Featured Photograph: “125th Street” by Todd Webb.