Worldwide Exposure

International Center of Photography

His photographs spanned a continent, yet his message was heard worldwide. Inspired by the work of his brother Robert Capa, a prominent photojournalist, Cornell Capa set out on a journey at the young age of 18 to become a “concerned photographer.” Brian Wallis, the curator of the current exhibit of Capa’s work at the International Center of Photography, described a “concerned photographer” as a photographer who “demonstrated in their work a humanitarian impulse to use pictures to educate and change the world, not just to record it.” This exhibit entitled “Cornell Capa: Concerned Photographer” is a presentation of Capa journey to reveal the conditions of the human spirit around the world.

The majority of the exhibition focuses on Capa’s work in South America. His photographs capture the political and social turmoil that existed across the continent – from Guatemala to Peru. According to Wallis, Capa’s photographs are “a believable mirror of the human condition, a mirror that mankind must finally face.” Each photograph is an image of the deeper meaning behind the event that is seen happening. One of his most telling photographs is “Woman and child at clinic,” which shows a woman and her child at a clinic in El Salvador. The figures of the woman and child in lower right-hand corner offer a stark contrast to a photograph of a typical American woman and child in the upper left-hand corner. The tension of this scene lies in the vast space of the wall that exists between these two groups of figures. The tension is further emphasized in the difference of the expressions in the mothers’ faces. The American mother is happy and smiling, while the El Salvadorian mother seems concerned.

Another part of the exhibition focuses on Capa’s work in the United States. In particular, there is a wonderful series on Robert F. Kennedy. Cornell Capa was given access to Robert F. Kennedy’s personal quarters during the 1960 presidential campaign while photographing for Life magazine. There is one extraordinary close-up of Robert F. Kennedy on a plane entitled “Robert F. Kennedy on board a plane to Albany.” What makes this image so extraordinary is how close Capa is able to get to Robert F. Kennedy without him noticing. This extreme close-up emphasizes the determination and leadership quality of Robert F. Kennedy. In this image it is clear that Robert F. Kennedy was someone who cared about the American people and devoted his entire life to their lives better. Through this portrait, Capa asserts that Robert F. Kennedy is a model – a hero.

Inspired at an early age, Cornell Capa traveled to Paris at only 18 to study under his famous brother. Throughout his lifetime as a photographer, Capa achieved many amazing feats. He was a member of Magnum Photos, a highly respected photographic cooperative. He thoroughly documented the various political and social movements of South American countries and had exclusive access to show American politicians such as Robert F. Kennedy in a light that no one else could have seen. However, through all of his many accomplishments, Capa always carried a powerful message – that we, as inhabitants of this planet, have a responsibility to be aware of the political and social environments that exist in the world and that we must do all that we can to aid those who are stuck in environments defined by social and political turmoil.