A Progress Report on Civilization
Artist
Burk Uzzle
(American, b. 1938)
CultureAmerican
Date1989
MediumDye bleach print
DimensionsOverall, Frame: 42 × 33 1/2 in. (106.7 × 85.1 cm)
Overall, Image: 41 1/2 × 32 1/2 in. (105.4 × 82.6 cm)
Overall, Image: 41 1/2 × 32 1/2 in. (105.4 × 82.6 cm)
Credit LineGift of the Artist
Object number92.23.4
Not on view
DescriptionThis is a dye bleach print.Label TextBurk Uzzle American (b. 1938) A Progress Report on Civilization, 1989 Dye bleach print Gift of the artist 92.23.4 A self-taught photographer, Burk Uzzle began his career in photography on the staff of the Raleigh News and Observer, and in 1962, worked as a contract photographer for Life magazine. He joined Magnum Photos in 1967, and was president from 1969 to 1970. In contrast to his earlier work, which offered a straightforward but humorous look at America, A Progress Report on Civilization shows a radically different approach. It is from a collection of photographic montages made by means of multiple exposures in the negative. This is a complex and thought-provoking image, intentionally full of contradictions that reflect our confusing world of today. A portrait of a person dressed in a Mummer's costume, an elaborate plastic banana split, and a peacock express ideas of excess decoration. Shown against a background of medieval building decoration, the photograph places contemporary society's overindulgence and desire of spectacle in the context of past civilization, examines how human life has changed, and questions the progress of civilization. Edited By: GLY Edited Date: 09/2004 Approved By: MHM Approval Date: 09/21/2005Exhibition History"History of Photography," Alice R. and Sol B. Frank Photography Galleries, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Va, June 15 - August 22, 1999. "A Progress Report on Civilization: Burk Uzzle," The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA, July 19 - October 11, 1992. "Photography Speaks," Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Va., Alice R. and Sol B. Frank Photo Galleries, September 4, 2004 - January 2, 2005. Published ReferencesA PROGRESS REPORT ON CIVILIZATION: BURK UZZLE (Norfolk, VA: The Chrysler Museum, 1992), ill on cover.
