Jackies 1964

These silver gelatin prints of Jackie O were made by Billy Name sometime in the mid-twentieth century. The repetition of Jackie's image in these multiple prints makes me think about artmaking as a kind of mantra or ritual. The grainy, almost ghostly quality of the prints really stands out. The blacks aren't dense, and the whites aren't pure, it's like they're emerging from a fog. I notice how the paper is crumpled and uneven, and the images are blurry. Each print is unique, not just in its imperfections, but also in its tonality, and the way the light catches the silver. The variation in tone is something I find interesting. In some prints, Jackie's face is more defined, while in others, she almost disappears into the background. It makes me think about how memory and fame fade over time. I see echoes of Warhol’s interest in celebrity and mass production, yet it also reminds me of older practices, like tintype photography, where the image feels fragile and fleeting. There's a vulnerability to the work that invites multiple readings.