In Memorium: Max Margulis

[P3D Greg Dinkins <dinkins@xxxxxxxx>]

On Saturday I participated in a memorial tribute to Max Margulis, who died
in December at age 89.  Max was a musician, teacher, impresario, and
perhaps, as some of his eulogists suggested, a benevolent sorcerer. His
musical talent allowed him to earn money in the depression, enough to
support his then-striving artist friends Bill De Kooning, Arshile Gorky,
Joseph Solman=85 among others. He was an early jazz promoter, and a founder=
 of
Blue Note Records. He sponsored refugees from the Holocaust, and nurtured
them with the arts to "restore dignity and a sense of self-worth" (in their
words). In later life he became a vocal coach to many illustrious singers,
actors, and tv personalities.=20
Among these sainted acts, he introduced me to stereo photography.
The memorial was a celebration of a life well-lived. Three common themes
were heard repeatedly from his friends, family and pupils who knew him from
such different perspectives: 1- the kind and gentle and moral man, 2- his
earnest search for "clarity" in all aspects of life, and 3- those amazing
stereo slides. I have no trouble seeing the connection in those character
traits. I think his stereophotography added to his lore as a magician.
Max loved to photograph storefronts. I have seen some of these images, and
they really are amazing, recalling times when craftsmen such as
violin-makers and tinkers could operate storefront businesses in Manhattan.
His 1940=92s photographs from Mexico are timeless, stunning color images.=
 One
day he took great delight in showing me his blue ribbons from the New York
Stereoscopical Society. He gave me his copy of the Realist Manual.=20
I=92d love to hear from anyone out there who knew Max. I=92m also interested=
 in
the proceedings, publications, general history etc. of the New York
Stereoscopical Society.=20

Greg Dinkins
dinkins@xxxxxxxx


------------------------------