Photographer Arthur Grace has put together a collection of photographs from past presidential campaigns in an exhibit at the High Museum of Art.
I have the photo catalogue book in my library that I bought over twenty years ago.
As Grace noted in his lecture at the High, “These photographers are from the last campaigns when candid moments could be photographed.” In a television, Internet, and 24 hour news savvy world, the candidates’ moments are all scripted.
Most of these photographs center on the 1988 Presidential Race between George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis.
In the book, you see several photos of the senior Bush with an exhausted look–a look that he would rather be at home watching a game than on the campaign trail.
Grace also captured one of the biggest blunders of the Presidential political history, the one where Michael Dukakis rode in a military tank. There is also a print where Dukakis is being hugged by a supporter and he has his hands in his pockets.
In a photograph of Richard Gephardt taken on January 25th, the tired candidate is in an interview while eating. This particular piture got him banned from the Gephardt campaign trail.
There are several images of Pat Robertson that show him smiling and waving. As a televangelist, it was hard to capture Robertson in an unscripted movement since he always sensed where the camera was–even one photo where he was munching on a fry.
There also are many shots of a very young Dan Quayle when he was put into a campaign situation–exposing his political naievete.
This exhibit is a nostalgic peek back to a simpler political age.
For details visit: www.High.org
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