How a Photography Trend Evolved Over the Last Century

Photography trends abound; some are fleeting, while others come and go over the decades, never completely disappearing. We don't often stop to look at where they started or realize that we are participating in something even bigger than us.  

Modern social apps like Instagram are the best place to see just how often and overused certain trends/tropes are in the photography world. You only have to look at accounts like Insta_Repeat to see just how common it is to replicate or follow trends. Of course, this is nothing new, as anyone who has ever taken a photography history class or been to an art museum would know. 

This video from Vox takes a deeper look at one specific trend that spans over a century, examining its cultural relevance and influence over time in a variety of media, but especially as a trope within 70's album art. You can still find examples of this trend in photography today, and I'm sure it is only a matter of time before we see its rise in popularity again. This is the trend of using a decorative wicker chair in the style of the "Peacock chair." From a social equalizer used in portraits of presidents, celebrities, and everyday people, to iconic backdrops in the 60s and pop culture album covers in the 70's, what started as a simple photographer's prop, the "Peacock chair" in all its forms and styles took on a life of its own, carrying different meanings and cultural significance throughout the decades.