One of three boxes containing negatives by Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and Chim (David Seymour). © International Center of Photography
Robert Capa, [Battle of Teruel, Spain], December 1937
Gerda Taro, [Second International Congress for the Defense of Culture, Valencia, Spain], July 1937
Chim (David Seymour), [Federico Garcia Lorca, Madrid], April–July 1936
The Mexican Suitcase opens on Friday, September 24. This exhibition will give the public an opportunity to experience images drawn from this famous collection of recovered negatives. In December 2007, three boxes filled with rolls of film, containing 4,500 35mm negatives of the Spanish Civil War by Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and Chim (David Seymour)—which had been considered lost since 1939—arrived at the International Center of Photography. These three photographers, who lived in Paris, worked in Spain, and published internationally, laid the foundation for modern war photography. Their work has long been considered some of the most innovative and passionate coverage of the Spanish Civil War (1936–39). Many of the contact sheets made from the negatives will be on view as part of the exhibition, which will look closely at some of the major stories by Capa, Taro, and Chim as interpreted through the individual frames.
Congratulations on completing what is an amazing project and all the best with the exhibition and book. Special thanks to Christopher George for the behind the scenes preview I was lucky enough to receive while visiting the ICP in May.
Thank you!
You are welcome; come back any time…
Will this exhibition be traveling or will photos be available outside NY? L.A, Mexico?
The Mexican Suitcase is currently on view in Arles, France. It will be travelling to Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, and Paris in the coming years. You can view the locations and dates here:
http://www.icp.org/museum/exhibitions/traveling/mexican-suitcase