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Vivian Maier Photographer

Tom Palazzolo

2012 00:12:00 United StatesEnglishB&WStereo4:3DV video

Description

This 12-minute video by Tom Palazzolo and Chicago writer Jack Helbig tells the story of the recently discovered Chicago street photographer Vivian Maier. Though she was unknown in her lifetime, her extensive body of work is rewriting the history of post-World War II American street photography. The video, told from the point of view of Maier herself, recounts her life and work, from her childhood in France to her move to NYC in 1951 and subsequent relocation to Chicago, where the majority of her work was done. The film also delves into the paradox that this now internationally known photographer worked all of her life in obscurity as a nanny and home health care worker.

Vivian Maier is played by Chicago actor Judith Hoppe. Edited by Mike Bullis.

About Tom Palazzolo

Tom Palazzolo was born in 1937 in St. Louis, MO, attended the School of the Art Institute (SAIC) from 1960-65, married Marcia Daehn in 1968, and had three children, Sarah, Amy and Todd. He taught at Chicago City College from 1966-2002 and at SAIC from 1976-1990. In 1969, Palazzolo traveled to the Middle East for the US Information Agency to showcase examples of American experimental films. His films have shown at the Museum of Modern Art, NY, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Gene Siskel Film Center, and many other venues. He is an exhibiting painter and photographer, in addition to filmmaker.