Jacob Holdt
1970-1975
Aus American Pictures
Slide-Installation with 160 pictures
Collection Fotomuseum Winterthur
2008-028-037
b. 1947 (Copenhagen, DK), lives and works in Copenhagen, DK
Jacob Holdt hitchhiked through the USA from 1970 to 1975. During this time, over 350 people offered him a temporary home and allowed him to plunge into their lifeworlds as a considerate guest, friend or lover. At once shocked and fascinated by their son’s reports, Holdt’s parents sent him a Canon Dial 35 half-frame camera, which he then used to document his experiences. This gave rise to over 15,000 snapshot-style images of people in their environments going about their daily lives. They cover the whole gamut of human relationships – including violence, poverty and crime as well as affection and love. In 1977, Holdt published his photos, accompanied by extensive descriptions, in the book American Pictures in a bid to draw attention to the poverty and exploitation experienced by the Black population. The book soon went on to become an international bestseller and Holdt returned to the USA to give slide shows pointing up the profound social divide and devastating social conditions. While Holdt is still involved in the fight for social justice, he has also been presenting his photographs in an art context since the early 2000s.