Wynn Bullock

In the past year or two there have been small but active groups of photographers, museum directors and critics who find painted and sculptured "photographs" stimulating and inspired works of art. Without questioning the worth of extending man’s vision and creating healthy environments for growth and progress through experimentation, a need exists objectively to examine the principles governing some of the radical aspects of the movement, more specifically, mixed’ media.

..a need exists objectively to examine the principles governing...mixed media

It is a principle of nature which extends to all things that when two singular things are mixed the strength of the one may be reduced by the strength of the other. If perchance a mixed-media proves of value in its own right it becomes a new form. If and when this happens to mixed media ‘photography’ it will no longer be confused with photography or painting or sculpture. It will be given a new name as etchings, woodcuts, and mobiles were so honored when they developed a character of their own.

Photography, painting, and sculpture would be the same by any other names. Each became important because each in its own right proved to be a powerful medium of expression. Each in its own way provided a physical and psychological singularity of means that enabled man to give visual strength to his thoughts, feelings and beliefs. It is too soon to say whether mixed-media ‘photography’ will reach this stage of development.