Harry Gruyaert’s ‘TV Shots’: A Unique Blend of Art and Media Critique
Imagine living in London at the tail end of the 1960s, when the power of television was becoming unmistakably clear. Advertising was a force to be reckoned with, and political messages were skillfully broadcast, more so in the UK than elsewhere in Europe. It was during this time that Harry Gruyaert, a Belgian photographer, became acutely aware of television’s pervasive influence. His curiosity led him to create a project that would eventually be known as “TV Shots,” a series that explored the unique characteristics of English television by photographing its screen.
Harry Gruyaert found a particular TV set in London that, with some tinkering with the controls and antenna, produced an extraordinary variety of colors. This discovery opened up a world of creative possibilities. Gruyaert began capturing images from typical English programs like “Coronation Street,” “Come Dancing,” and even cricket matches. Notably, he photographed the Apollo 10 flight, the first space mission broadcast in color, and the intense moments of the 1972 Munich Olympics, including the tragic Palestinian attack on Israeli athletes. By staying in his room and photographing these events from the TV screen, Gruyaert could engage with global occurrences in a way that would have been impossible if he had been physically present.
This project was as much a critique as it was an exploration. Gruyaert was torn between denouncing television’s brainwashing nature and celebrating the unexpected beauty he discovered in the distorted images. The vibrant colors and the screen’s unique dot structure made the images strikingly different from today’s high-definition broadcasts. When exhibited in France, “TV Shots” evoked varied reactions—some found it eerily beautiful, while others were disturbed by its stark portrayal of media consumption.
Gruyaert’s venture into “TV Shots” was a pioneering effort that blended art with a subtle journalistic approach. Despite initial skepticism from Magnum Photos, where some argued that his lack of a journalistic background and his focus on color photography might spell the end of the agency, Gruyaert’s work eventually found its place. He was accepted into Magnum alongside Abbas, marking a shift towards recognizing photography as an art form.
So, if you’re intrigued by the intersection of media, art, and photography, Harry Gruyaert’s “TV Shots” is a project worth delving into. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how a simple household device like a TV can be transformed into a powerful tool for artistic expression and social commentary. Dive into Gruyaert’s world, and you might find yourself seeing television—and photography—in a whole new light.
