Robert Cumming, an American artist who lived from 1943 to 2021, had a simple philosophy: fun was the whole point. His art wasn’t about deep meanings or grand messages; it was about taking everyday things and twisting them into something unexpected, something that made you smile or scratch your head.
A new book showcasing Cumming’s photography perfectly captures his playful spirit. One photo, titled “Watermelon/Bread,” shows exactly what you’d expect: a watermelon and a loaf of bread, but arranged in a way that’s both strange and oddly satisfying. It’s not immediately clear what the purpose is, but it’s intriguing nonetheless.
Cumming wasn’t afraid to delve into uncomfortable territory either. He believed everyone has vivid memories of bad experiences, and he turned those memories into photographs. He recreated these moments in a way that made them strangely amusing. It’s a bit like laughing at a scary movie – the fear is still there, but it’s mixed with a sense of relief and absurdity.
That’s the beauty of Cumming’s work. He doesn’t spell things out for you. He throws out these visual puzzles and lets you figure them out on your own. Maybe you understand the joke, maybe you don’t, but either way, you’re drawn in by the strangeness and the creativity.
His photos are like glimpses into another world, a world where logic takes a backseat and the unexpected reigns supreme. A chair balances precariously on a stack of books. A row of light bulbs hangs from strings, each casting a different colored shadow.
