Doon Arbus, American author and journalist

Doon Arbus, born on April 3, 1945, is a distinguished American writer and journalist whose career has spanned various fields from groundbreaking journalism to critically acclaimed literature and the meticulous preservation of an iconic artistic legacy. Her work reflects a keen observational eye, a characteristic perhaps inherited or nurtured within her extraordinary family background. Arbus is not only recognized for her own literary contributions but also for her pivotal role in managing and presenting the profound photographic oeuvre of her mother, Diane Arbus.

Early Life and Family Legacy

Doon Arbus is the elder daughter of two influential figures: the talented actor Allan Arbus, known for his role as Dr. Sidney Freedman in M*A*S*H, and the revolutionary photographer Diane Arbus, whose unsparing portraits redefined the art form. This upbringing placed Doon at the intersection of performance and visual artistry from an early age. A deeply personal and challenging chapter of her life began when she was just 26 years old, following her mother's tragic suicide. At this tender age, Doon assumed the immense responsibility of managing Diane Arbus’s artistic estate, a task that would intertwire with her own professional journey for decades to come, ensuring her mother's work received the careful stewardship it deserved.

A Career in Words: Writing and Journalism

Literary Endeavors

While often associated with her mother's legacy, Doon Arbus has carved out her own significant path in the literary world. Her debut novel, The Caretaker, published by the esteemed New Directions in 2020, marked a notable entry into fiction, demonstrating her command of narrative. Prior to this, her play, Third Floor, Second Door on the Right, captivated audiences when it was produced at the historic Cherry Lane Theatre as part of the 2003 New York International Fringe Festival, showcasing her versatility across different literary forms.

Pioneering Journalism and Cultural Commentary

In the mid-1960s, Doon Arbus emerged as a vital voice in American journalism, contributing to the New York Herald Tribune’s influential Sunday supplement, New York. This period was a crucible for what became known as New Journalism, a style that blended literary techniques with factual reporting. Arbus found herself among an illustrious cohort of writers including Tom Wolfe, Jimmy Breslin, and Robert Benton, all of whom pushed the boundaries of traditional reportage. Her articles, characterized by their vivid detail and incisive observation, also graced the pages of other prominent publications such as Rolling Stone, The Nation, and Cheetah magazine. One particularly notable piece, her 1966 article "James Brown Is Out of Sight," stands as one of the earliest and most insightful profiles of the legendary R&B icon, James Brown, and is deservedly included in The James Brown Reader (Plume, 2008).

Preserving a Vision: The Diane Arbus Estate

Beyond her independent creative work, a significant portion of Doon Arbus’s career has been dedicated to curating and contextualizing her mother’s groundbreaking photography. She has authored or contributed to five essential books on Diane Arbus's work, including the foundational An Aperture Monograph (Aperture, 1972), which introduced Diane’s unique vision to a wider audience, and the comprehensive Revelations (Random House, 2003). Her deep understanding of her mother’s artistic intentions has also been instrumental in organizing numerous prestigious photographic exhibitions. These critically acclaimed shows have been presented in collaboration with leading institutions worldwide, such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), and the Jeu de Paume in Paris, ensuring Diane Arbus's enduring impact on photography is celebrated and understood.

Collaborations and Other Works

Doon Arbus also engaged in a significant and fruitful collaboration with another titan of photography, Richard Avedon. Their partnership resulted in two notable books that explored the intersection of creative process and public perception: Alice in Wonderland: The Forming of a Company, the Making of a Play (E. P. Dutton, 1973) and Avedon: The Sixties (Random House, 1999). These works further cemented Arbus’s reputation as an astute observer and chronicler of artistic and cultural phenomena, demonstrating her ability to contribute meaningfully across diverse creative projects.

Frequently Asked Questions About Doon Arbus

Who is Doon Arbus?

Doon Arbus is an acclaimed American writer, journalist, and the elder daughter of actor Allan Arbus and groundbreaking photographer Diane Arbus. She is known for her literary works, her contributions to New Journalism, and her crucial role in managing her mother's artistic estate.

What are Doon Arbus's notable works?

Her notable works include her debut novel The Caretaker, her play Third Floor, Second Door on the Right, and seminal articles for publications like the New York Herald Tribune and Rolling Stone, such as her profile of James Brown. She also co-authored books with Richard Avedon and contributed extensively to publications about her mother's photography.

What is Doon Arbus's connection to photographer Diane Arbus?

Doon Arbus is the elder daughter of Diane Arbus. Following her mother's passing, Doon became responsible for the management of the Diane Arbus estate, curating exhibitions and authoring or contributing to several authoritative books on her mother's photographic work.

Has Doon Arbus worked on any photographic exhibitions?

Yes, Doon Arbus has organized numerous significant photographic exhibitions in collaboration with major institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Jeu de Paume, focusing on her mother's work.