The Octopus, New York

photograph by Coburn

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July 1, 2026

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The photograph "The Octopus, New York" was created by Alvin Langdon Coburn in 1913. It is noted for its novel use of perspective and emphasis on abstract patterns, showcasing street scenes viewed from above. Coburn was an American-born British photographer who was a pioneer in creating nonobjective photographs, which he termed "vortographs". His work aimed to demonstrate that photography could fracture space into abstract compositions, similar to Cubist art. The photograph captures a unique perspective of New York City, a metropolis known for its diverse character and constant change.12

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Alvin Langdon Coburn
These photographs, especially The Octopus, New York, display a novel use of perspective and an emphasis upon abstract pattern. In 1917 he began taking the first completely nonobjective photographs. He called them vortographs to associate them with the Vorticists, a group of English writers and painters who had been…
Read More
These photographs, especially The Octopus, New York, display a novel use of perspective and an emphasis upon abstract pattern. In 1917 he began taking the first completely nonobjective photographs. He called them vortographs to associate them with the Vorticists, a group of English writers and painters who had been…
Read More