Diane Arbus Photos "In the Beginning" at the Met Breuer

An exhibit of more than 100 Diane Arbus' photos from 1956-62, mark the beginning of an auspicious career & an early fascination with the unconventional.  The majority of the black/white photos have never been publicly shown and are gifted to the MET by Arbus' two daughters.  Diane was born & lived in New York until her death by suicide (1923-71.)  Most of the photographs in the show are taken in NYC area.  These early photos are in keeping with her stylized look which explores what is awry & absurdly attracting.  Many of the people are in costume: transgender people, clowns or outlandish circus performers.  A few are patrons of the arts and while in haute couture, they too seem to be hiding behind a facade.  Arbus shot in a voyeuristic style and was alert to when she was being scrutinzed by her subjects; children in particular.  I was most taken with the photo "Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park," ('62.)  The young boy is gangly & appears unsure of whether he appears aggressive or foolish.  Arbus captured his befuddlement.  I found the pictures of solitary children stepping out of the streets onto sidewalks very arresting.  These photos have a feeling of aloneness.  The back gallery contains many of her iconic images from her later years:  "Identical Twins" and "A Jewish Giant at Home with his Parents in the Bronx," ('70.)  In an earlier photo of a similar room. there is an oversized Christmas tree that resonates a similar, striking dissymmetry.  Her images pronounce disparities & elucidate nonconformity.  The early photos have a hazy, blurred look which provide a mystique to her art.  Her later silver gelatin prints clearly point out peculiarities.  "In the Beginning" is a show of Diane Arbus' earliest works that is endlessly fascinating & arousing.