While most women photographers worked in photography studios during the late 19th century, Alice Austen chose instead to hit the streets of New York and capture the city's unique sights and scenes — even if it meant lugging nearly 50 pounds of equipment on her bicycle. And for such a storied career, which included over 7,000 photographs capturing a rapidly changing city, how is it that her groundbreaking works weren't fully recognized and appreciated until modern day? From photographing New York's first quarantine stations to everyday scenes of New York, this is the story of how a once amateur photographer would later produce some of the most valuable journalistic works of her era.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the life and legacy of photo journalist Alice Austen (1866-1952), along with her fellow New York women photography pioneers of the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Led by Sylvia Laudien-Meo — art historian, museum educator, and NYC tour guide — this virtual journey through the photography of pioneering early women photographers will include:

• An overview of the life and photographic work of pioneer photo journalist Alice Austen, from her upbringing on Staten Island to how the Great Depression affected the photographer’s family
• A closer look at her innovative publication, “Street Types of New York”
• A discussion of her photographs illustrating a book called “Bicycling for Ladies”
• An analysis of her photographs documenting the quarantine islands off the shores of New York
• A comparison of works by other pioneering women photographers including Gertrude Käsebier and women working in commercial photography studios

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Sylvia — any and all questions about women photography pioneers are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Sylvia

Sylvia Laudien-Meo is a freelance Art Historian who works in and around the city in various capacities, specializing on Modern and Contemporary art, with a strong focus on Public Art. She teaches art history at Fairleigh Dickinson University and has been working as a museum educator at MoMA, the Guggenheim and the Jewish Museum for over many years, engaging visitors in conversation based, interactive art experiences of permanent collections and changing exhibitions.

For the Municipal Art Society, UFT, Brandeis Univ., and private clients, she has been touring the city for over 20 years, exploring art and architecture, parks, neighborhoods and history. Working in various different capacities gives her a unique opportunity to make intriguing connections and weave together the complex perspectives that make out the tapestry of our fascinating city.

SLM holds a Masters Degree in Art History (with minors in History and American Studies) from the Joh. Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, as well as a Tourism degree from the EST in Paris France.

Testimonials

"Full of information and loads of photographs to illustrate the talk" -Loraine

"Sylvia is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, inclusive of her viewers!" -Tricia

"The selections and the depth of presenters knowledge and the way she helped us see the complexity of the art" -Barbara

"Sylvia always provides a very informative and entertaining session. I am very impressed with the research she does for all of her presentations which are quite varied in theme and content." -Sandra

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Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment