Larry Sultan's Photography: Revealing the Hidden Layers of American Domestic Life
A new publication titled Water Over Thunder offers an intimate look into the life and work of American photographer Larry Sultan, whose career spanned from the 1970s until his death in 2009. The book, published in collaboration with Sultan's widow Kerry and son Max, presents his writings, personal reflections, and images that collectively paint a portrait of an artist obsessed with the ordinary and the extraordinary within American homes.
The Valley Series: Porn Sets in Suburban Homes
One of Sultan's most notable projects, The Valley, involved photographing middle-class homes in California's San Fernando Valley that were rented out for pornographic film shoots. Between 1998 and 2004, Sultan captured over 100 images of these interiors, which were decorated with kitsch furniture, zebra-print rugs, and fake flowers. The series juxtaposes the mundane setting with the explicit activities, creating a surreal commentary on American domesticity and desire.
In his notes, Sultan described feeling like a "forensic photographer" in these spaces, exploring the tension between fascination and repulsion. He observed actors relaxing between scenes, such as one instance where a performer ate toast with crumbs falling on her naked belly, highlighting the bizarre intersection of everyday life and staged fantasy.
Pictures from Home: A Nine-Year Family Portrait
Sultan's most famous work, Pictures from Home, took nine years to complete and focused on his ageing parents in their suburban home. Through tender yet unsentimental images, he documented their daily routines, arguments, and moments of quiet reflection. His father, a former vice-president of Schick Razors who lost his job in his 50s, became a symbol of the American dream's fragility.
Sultan used this project to critique how family values had been politicised, describing the family as a "complicated, unnerving institution." Despite his initial guilt over revealing private moments, the process allowed him to resolve personal issues and showcase the healing power of art.
Early Career and Conceptual Works
Born in Brooklyn in 1946, Sultan moved to Los Angeles with his family as part of the postwar pursuit of a better life. He studied photography at the San Francisco Art Institute in the 1970s, a time he found exciting for its cultural shifts. Although he felt alienated from the academic scene, he embraced photography as a way to witness and participate in society.
In 1977, Sultan collaborated with Mike Mandel to produce Evidence, a groundbreaking work of conceptual photography. They sifted through thousands of archival images from institutions like NASA and the US Navy, presenting 59 uncaptioned photos that, removed from their original context, became poetic and bizarre. This project highlighted the human drive for innovation and control in the technological age.
Teaching and Legacy
Teaching was a significant part of Sultan's life, beginning at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1978 and continuing at the California College of the Arts for two decades. He viewed his students as "fellow travellers" and integrated discussions of artists like Nan Goldin with unconventional activities such as ballroom-dancing lessons.
Former student Carmen Winant remembers Sultan as a curious and devoted teacher, noting that his photography remains influential. Water Over Thunder includes personal lists, such as his favourite films, with the sci-fi classic The Incredible Shrinking Man topping the list, further illustrating his eclectic interests.
Conclusion: Sultan's Enduring Impact
Larry Sultan's work transcends genres, blending documentary, fiction, and appropriation to explore the mysteries of everyday American life. From porn sets to family portraits, his images capture the idiosyncratic and ironic moments that define domestic existence. Water Over Thunder serves as a testament to his legacy, offering readers a deeper understanding of an artist who continually sought to reveal what lies just out of view in the familiar spaces of home.
