Grete Stern had an important role in the modernization of photography in Argentina, particularly with the photo montage technique. Born in Germany, she became a graphics and photo designer with Walter Peterhans and later at the Bauhaus. In 1929, she and Ellen Auerbach opened a commercial photography and design studio, ringl+pit, where they tested innovations both at a formal and contextual level, subverting the traditional public image of women. She moved to Argentina in 1935 together with her husband, fellow photographer and filmmaker Horacio Coppola. That same year they organized a photography exhibition which would be a flagship exhibition due to its modernity. They also opened a new advertising and photography studio.
From 1948 to 1952 during the peronist government, Stern created her celebrated series Dreams (Sueños), made up of around 150 photo montages created to illustrate a column entitled Psychoanalysis will help you (El psicoanálisis le ayudará) in women's magazine Idilio. Combining humor and surrealism, Stern manages to transmit strong messages denouncing the situation for women in society at the time. This piece is Dream 39.
Details