Mellon Tytell
Encyclopedia
Mellon Tytell is an American photographer with a diverse career that includes fashion, documentary series, erotic photography, and portraits of celebrated personalities.
Mellon, along with her husband, the writer John Tytell
, was integral in documenting and canonizing the members of the Beat Generation
. They live with their dog Frank in Greenwich Village
and Vermont.
Tytell's first job in photography came in 1972 when Ralph Lauren
(at that time only a necktie designer) chose her to photograph his first collection. She has continued to work in fashion for clients such as, Givenchy, Christian Dior, and W Magazine in Paris.
Her editorial work has been published in over sixty countries during her tenure at Gamma-Liaison in New York, and Sipa Press in Paris. "National Geographic, Time, Life, People, Stern, Geo, Fortune, Playboy, Photo, and other magazines have printed her name next to stunning, evocative, and provocative portraits of the famous and the familiar, the downtrodden and the destitute."
Some of her extended documentary series consists of a major body of work on Haiti, made over several years on numerous trips, whose subjects include studies on opium in the Golden Triangle; the Rainbow family gathering in the piney woods of East Texas; life on the Ile Saint Louis in Paris; the bulls and wild horses of the Cammargue region in France; the psychic pilgrimage of a group of young Americans to sacred Inca sites in the Andes; and the Afro-Caribs in Suriname.
Her photographs have been exhibited extensively in Europe including the Villa de Medici in Rome, the Munich Stadtmuseum
in Germany, Amerikahaus Berlin, Mannheim Kunstvairen, Gallerie Agathe Gaillard in Paris, as well as the I.C.P, and Neikrug Phtotographia in New York City.
Her work is collected by the International Center of Photography, in New York, the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, the MOMA, and various private collections.
In 1999, Mellon collaborated with her husband John Tytell, on the book Paradise Outlaws, a study of the Beat Generation and its lineage, in which Mellon contributed photographs, and John wrote the text. A photograph Mellon's, portraying Allen Ginsberg, was published in 2006 by Mark McMurray's Caliban Press in the book Ginsberg's Farm.
, and American and French Geo magazines, Tytell took thousands of photographs, focusing on the interplay between Haitian painters, and their environment. Her work on the subject has been exhibited by the Villa de Medici in Rome, the French Institute in Athens, Greece, and the Mannheim Kunstvairen in Germany.
Selden Rodman, the legendary Haitian art critic, noted Tytell's unique eye after an editor at Der Stern showed him a selection of Tytell's portfolio, and in a personal letter, expressed his appreciation for her work:
"No one else has captured the essence of Haiti so unerringly...I'm more than ever impressed by the magical way in which you can find equivilant scenes in 'real life' to illuminate the paintings of such great artists as Rigaud Benoit, Philome Obin, Castera Bazile, Andre Pierre, St. Louis Blaise, Georges Liautaud and Jasmin Joseph. To use a word that should only be used with extreme caution, all these artists have a measure of "genius" and to catch that these artists catch intuitively with the camera's eye, takes as much genius."
, William S. Burroughs
, Herbert Huncke, and John Clellon Holmes
, have all been subjects of Tytell, documenting the later years of the writers and their continuing relevance to American culture.
said of the book: "Lucky to be sure, for no dog has been more lovingly photographed or written about than Mellon Tytell's."
The photographer and filmmaker, Robert Frank has said of Mellon's work: "Mellon looks at the world with large generous eyes. Her work is passionate, warm and funny. She's a romantic with a good rap."
Philadelphia Art Director's Club: Silver Medal for Fashion Photography.
Mellon, along with her husband, the writer John Tytell
John Tytell
John Tytell is an American writer and academic, whose works on such literary figures as Jack Kerouac, Ezra Pound, Allen Ginsberg, Henry Miller, and William S. Burroughs, have made him both a leading scholar of the Beat Generation, and a respected name in literature in general. He has been a...
, was integral in documenting and canonizing the members of the Beat Generation
Beat generation
The Beat Generation refers to a group of American post-WWII writers who came to prominence in the 1950s, as well as the cultural phenomena that they both documented and inspired...
. They live with their dog Frank in Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
and Vermont.
Biography
Tytell graduated from Great Neck North Senior High school, and also attended Le Grand Verger in Lausanne, Switzerland. She briefly attended NYU, and graduated from The New School with a Bachelor of Arts. A job as stylist for the photographer Tosh Matsumoto was Tytell's first introduction to world of photography, and it was Matsumoto's own suggestion that prompted Tytell to start out on her own, and attend the Germain School of Photography from which she graduated with distinction.Tytell's first job in photography came in 1972 when Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and business executive; best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand.-Early life:...
(at that time only a necktie designer) chose her to photograph his first collection. She has continued to work in fashion for clients such as, Givenchy, Christian Dior, and W Magazine in Paris.
Her editorial work has been published in over sixty countries during her tenure at Gamma-Liaison in New York, and Sipa Press in Paris. "National Geographic, Time, Life, People, Stern, Geo, Fortune, Playboy, Photo, and other magazines have printed her name next to stunning, evocative, and provocative portraits of the famous and the familiar, the downtrodden and the destitute."
Some of her extended documentary series consists of a major body of work on Haiti, made over several years on numerous trips, whose subjects include studies on opium in the Golden Triangle; the Rainbow family gathering in the piney woods of East Texas; life on the Ile Saint Louis in Paris; the bulls and wild horses of the Cammargue region in France; the psychic pilgrimage of a group of young Americans to sacred Inca sites in the Andes; and the Afro-Caribs in Suriname.
Her photographs have been exhibited extensively in Europe including the Villa de Medici in Rome, the Munich Stadtmuseum
Munich Stadtmuseum
The Munich Stadtmuseum is the city museum of Munich. It was founded in 1888 by Ernst von Destouches and is located in the former municipal arsenal and stables, both buildings of the late Gothic period.-Permanent exhibitions:...
in Germany, Amerikahaus Berlin, Mannheim Kunstvairen, Gallerie Agathe Gaillard in Paris, as well as the I.C.P, and Neikrug Phtotographia in New York City.
Her work is collected by the International Center of Photography, in New York, the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, the MOMA, and various private collections.
In 1999, Mellon collaborated with her husband John Tytell, on the book Paradise Outlaws, a study of the Beat Generation and its lineage, in which Mellon contributed photographs, and John wrote the text. A photograph Mellon's, portraying Allen Ginsberg, was published in 2006 by Mark McMurray's Caliban Press in the book Ginsberg's Farm.
Haiti
From 1978 to 1982 over the course of fourteen trips, on assignment from America's, Museum, Der Stern, TimeTime (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
, and American and French Geo magazines, Tytell took thousands of photographs, focusing on the interplay between Haitian painters, and their environment. Her work on the subject has been exhibited by the Villa de Medici in Rome, the French Institute in Athens, Greece, and the Mannheim Kunstvairen in Germany.
Selden Rodman, the legendary Haitian art critic, noted Tytell's unique eye after an editor at Der Stern showed him a selection of Tytell's portfolio, and in a personal letter, expressed his appreciation for her work:
"No one else has captured the essence of Haiti so unerringly...I'm more than ever impressed by the magical way in which you can find equivilant scenes in 'real life' to illuminate the paintings of such great artists as Rigaud Benoit, Philome Obin, Castera Bazile, Andre Pierre, St. Louis Blaise, Georges Liautaud and Jasmin Joseph. To use a word that should only be used with extreme caution, all these artists have a measure of "genius" and to catch that these artists catch intuitively with the camera's eye, takes as much genius."
The Beat Generation
An introduction to members of the Beat Generation for Tytell came through her husband, John, whose book Naked Angels was the first major study of the literary phenomenon and its authors. Allen GinsbergAllen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
, William S. Burroughs
William S. Burroughs
William Seward Burroughs II was an American novelist, poet, essayist and spoken word performer. A primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodernist author, he is considered to be "one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the 20th...
, Herbert Huncke, and John Clellon Holmes
John Clellon Holmes
John Clellon Holmes , born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, was an author, poet and professor, best known for his 1952 novel Go. Considered the first "Beat" novel, Go depicted events in his life with his friends Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady and Allen Ginsberg. He was often referred to as the "quiet Beat"...
, have all been subjects of Tytell, documenting the later years of the writers and their continuing relevance to American culture.
My Lucky Dog
In 2008, Tytell's book My Lucky Dog, a study of her dog Hunter in both pictures and text, was published by Harper Collins. Tytell also designed the book, with 45 photographs and text, that was recently called "the smallest ever coffee table book" The book received glowing praise from both publications and noted photographers. William WegmanWilliam Wegman
William Wegman may refer to:* Bill Wegman, baseball player* William Wegman , photographer...
said of the book: "Lucky to be sure, for no dog has been more lovingly photographed or written about than Mellon Tytell's."
The photographer and filmmaker, Robert Frank has said of Mellon's work: "Mellon looks at the world with large generous eyes. Her work is passionate, warm and funny. She's a romantic with a good rap."
Awards
Organization of American States, Washington DC: First Prize Color, and Second Prize Black and White.Philadelphia Art Director's Club: Silver Medal for Fashion Photography.
Published works
- The Beat Book Contributed photographs. (Mulch Press, 1974)
- Ecstasy Contributed photographic narrative. (Playboy Press, 1976)
- The Houdini of Photography Article on photographer Weegee (Camera Arts Magazine, 1981)
- Scopophilia, edited by Gerard Malanga Illustrated interview. (Alfred Van Der Marck, 1986)
- Paradise Outlaws John and Mellon Tytell (William Morrow, 1999)
- Rolling Stone Book of the Beats Edited by Holly George-Warren. Contributed essay on Robert Frank, and selection of photographs. (Hyperion, 1999)
- Ginsberg's Farm by Mark McMurray. Contributed photograph. (Caliban Press, 2006)
- Punk 365 Edited by Holly George-Warren. Contributed photograph. (Abrams, 2007)
- My Lucky Dog (HarperCollins, 2008)