photographist

Heinecken's work has always been concerned with the use and impact of the photographic image, earning him the title of "Photographist". The term, used by Arthur Danto to describe an artist whose concerns include photography in art but not necessarily photography as art, is well placed with Heineken's work. In the tradition of the photographist, then, Heinecken has plotted a course of experimental image and object production that has been innovative and influential. Aligned closely with such California conceptual artists as Edward Ruscha and John Baldessari, Heinecken the artist and teacher (he founded the photography department at UCLA and retired from that institution in 1991) has laid the groundwork for a younger generation of artists dedicated to manipulating and exploring photo-based production.