How Soon is Now, our first major exhibition of
photography, presents fifteen of the most interesting contemporary artists
working with the photographic medium. They have been selected by five of the
world’s leading artists and curators – Tom Eccles, Liam Gillick, Hans
Ulrich Obrist, Philippe Parreno and Beatrix Ruf. The
group exhibition therefore showcases a broad curatorial perspective of
international contemporary photography and offers the visitor a snap-shot of
each artist.
Since its invention in the nineteenth century, photography as a technique and
tool of expression has both challenged and inspired artists. This exhibition
reveals how many contemporary artists are re-examining photography by
incorporating elements into collage, video, film, installation or sculpture to
offer new formal readings of the image informed by photography.
Some of the works within How Soon is Now explore
personal and intimate investigations by the artists, some filter and document
everyday experiences or words into something unexpected, and some artists have
given photographs a material presence as physical objects creating a more
detached, objective aesthetic.
Many of the artists examine issues of perception, fiction and truth, or
legitimize previously illegitimate art forms such as amateur photography or the
photographic album. Other artists reference styles and genres of art,
photography and popular culture in their work.
The exhibition also includes the installation Fotografias by Swiss artists
Peter Fischli and David Weiss displaying nearly 400 photographs of paintings
found in fairgrounds and amusement parks displayed on a series of tables and
the wall. Their intimate scale and somber tonality turn the colorfulness of the
painted image of banal entertainment not only into photography, but also into
worlds of personal fantasies, darkness and humor.
The exhibition was conceived to present works for two pre-eminent photography
awards - The Discovery Award and the LUMA Award 2010. Each artist was chosen
because their work had already been internationally recognized and is an
important voice in the contemporary field of art.
Internationally renowned artists Peter Fischli and
David Weiss were invited to present a solo exhibition as part
of the festival, as well as being the first judges of the LUMA award 2010 -
their contribution was the epilogue to the group exhibition of the
nominees.
Images:
1. Anne Collier
Developing Tray #2 (Grey) 2009 C-Print 102,0 x 125,7 cm
Courtesy of the Artist and Anton Kern Gallery, New York, NY
2. Darius Khondji
Night Suite
Dakhla 2008
Print, framed with black wood, 42,0x60,0 cm\
Courtesy of the Artist
3. Elad Lassry
Two British Short Hair Cats (BSH)
2009, C-Print, 28.0 x 35.5 cm
Courtesy of the Artist and The Eugene Sadovoy Collection, USA, and David
Kordansky Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
4. Taryn Simon
Troy Webb
Scene of the crime, The Pines, Virginia Beach, Virginia
2002, C-Print, 121,9x157.5 cm
Courtesy of the Artist and Gagosian Gallery, New York
