#looking for viviennemeier
Vivienne Meyer, who is it?
If it weren't for the box of negatives John Maloof took at the vintage auction market, and if John Maloof wasn't so curious, we might never have known that such a photographer existed.
She was not a photographer during her lifetime, she was just a nanny. Unknown, weird, and fond of taking pictures, she owns a Rollei. While working as a nanny, I took eight months off work and traveled the world alone. She is so cool.
The documentary "Finding Vivienne" traces her personal belongings such as photos, clothes, texts, bills, etc., to piece together a seemingly complete Vivienne Maier from bit by bit.
She left behind thousands of rolls of film, most of which were never developed or shared with anyone during her lifetime. She seems to have just captured the world with her camera. She shuttled through the crowd, recording all kinds of life. She is like a bystander separated from human society, quietly watching what people do.
It also reminds me of the concierge in "Elegant Hedgehog", who just wants to live freely in his own world, not to be disturbed by outsiders, nor to disturb others. The same goes for Meier, she's not likeable, and she doesn't care if she's likeable or not. She didn't live the ideal life we thought she'd have, but she didn't have to compromise either. She spent her whole life doing what she liked according to her own wishes. I think in this life, she has truly lived in her own heart, not in the eyes of others.
Probably the real dimension of art is not to be successful, but to support you through a boring, lonely and long life. There must have been light at the moment she took the photo. There is a moment of pure and safe, enough.
To the world, Vivienne Meyer, remains a mystery.
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