Synopsis
According to critic Howard Zinn (People's History of the United States), "Greta Pratt's extraordinary photographs give us glimpses of people and places that stimulate us to think about our history, not only of the great American West, but of the nation itself. Her point of view is delightfully antic and provocative. We want not only to enjoy the moment of our viewing, but also to study and ponder each photograph, challenged to find its larger meaning." Using History takes us on a tour of Americans celebrating their past. From Civil War battle reenactments to Abraham Lincoln impersonators to colossal buffalos and Indians, Greta Pratt's color photographs examine how historic iconography is used, and her work challenges us to question who Americans are. Taking an approach that is both affectionate toward her subjects yet sardonic about the larger implications of their actions, Pratt cuts to the heart of the ambivalent drives that move Americans.
About the Author
Greta Pratt's photographs have appeared in numerous magazines and books worldwide including The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, American Art, Harpers, and Mother Jones. Pratt's work is included in major public and private collections including the National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and The Minneapolis Institute of Art. She has previously published one book, In Search of the Corn Queen.
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