Concerning the exhibition of Hungarian photography at RA I don’t have a lot to say, other than that Robert Capa’s notoriety is well deserved. The image that springs to mind with Capa is Death of a Loyalist Militiaman, but the range of his photographs included show him to have been as adroit on the beaches of Normandy as he was adept in the studio or on the street. His preeminence among the distinguished group exhibited here –including Moholy-Nagy and Brassaï - is quickly apparent.
‘May you live in interesting times’ is said to be a Chinese curse. Whether it is or not is a matter of some dispute. The sentiment stands, however, in the case of 20th century Hungary, which could be said to be both interesting and pretty hellish. The overriding impression is that from WWI to the break-up of the Soviet Union, Hungary was a tumultuous and for the most part unenviable place to live.
One more thing about Capa. It was he who said: "If your photographs aren't good enough, you're not close enough." Advice more pertinent than ever as we labor under the pretence that the zoom lens has done away with the imperative for getting close.
There is always one picture that holds you a little longer than the others. For me it was Kertész’s stunning Washington Square (pictured).
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