What do Richard Nixon, Marilyn Monroe, Brigette Bardot and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor have in common? The answer is jumpology, the scientific art captured by photographer Philippe Halsman, now on view at the Laurence Miller Gallery show “Jump” through May 28, 2010.  It is the first time the series has been exhibited in New York.

In addition to the 101 Life magazine covers to his credit, Latvian-born Halsman boasts a 37 year collaboration with Salvador Dali which is captured in the 1949 Popcorn Nude, one of the show’s most gravity-defying images featuring popcorn, nude model, and baguette in mid-air, Dali himself propelling the explosion of popcorn by kicking a bread warmer.  The innocence and spontaneity of the shot is contraindicated by Halsman’s demand of all of his subjects, namely, JUMP!

Artcards learned that Halsman hired his future wife, Yvonne Halsman, who printed many of the works shown, as an apprentice in an attempt to get rid of the competition, “by hiring them” according to one of Halsman’s daughters, Irene,  who was present at the opening.  Additionally, she noted that Einstein and President Roosevelt’s wife played critical roles in helping Halsman immigrate to the States. 

“Capturing the essence of his subjects’ character” is what Halsman’s daughter  was most intent on highlighting as the significance of her father’s work.  While Halsman indicated that “the jump denotes a lack of ambition and sensuality”, it’s a characterization that is more a reflection of his singular ability to persuade the most conservative of adults to show the camera what inhibition or joy looks like.