The chilling panorama of the Vietnam War's decision-makers
Explore the behind-the-scenes installation of Richard Avedon’s massive 1971 work, The Mission Council, Saigon, South Vietnam. This video reveals how a series of stark portraits captured the architects of war in a way that critics called terrifying.
The video examines the 200'2 installation of Avedon's large-scale project at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, titled The Mission Council, Saigon, South Vietnam (1971), features five gelatin silver prints arranged to create a single panoramic view. Each section is roughly 10 feet long and 6 feet wide, supported by textile backings.
Avedon captured the American ambassadors, policy experts, and generals responsible for directing the Vietnam War against a minimalist white backdrop. By presenting these figures without frames or glazing, Avedon emphasized their raw presence, creating a series that some observers described as a haunting depiction of 'business as usual.'
Source: Avedon in Gallery
