ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Photography as Critical Tool in Exhibition Views

publication · 2026-04-24

In Art Press 2 n°24, Remi Parcollet explores the role of exhibition views as a significant genre within contemporary art. He posits that photography of exhibitions has evolved into an authorial practice that fosters critical dialogue. Artists such as Louise Lawler challenge art contexts by capturing images of artworks in private collections. Jean Pierre Criqui links Lawler's approach to Roland Barthes' concept of 'split speech.' Ugo Mulas, who was not recognized as an artist during his lifetime, employed cropping techniques to convey meaning, exemplified in his 1964 documentation of the New York pop scene. The discussion also includes independent photographers André Morin and Philippe Chancel, as well as trends in exhibition publications like Eric Troncy's 'Coolustre' and Laurent Le Bon's DADA catalogue.

Key facts

  • Exhibition view photography has become an authorial critical tool.
  • Louise Lawler photographs artworks in collectors' homes to critique display.
  • Ugo Mulas documented the 1964 New York pop scene using cropping and framing.
  • Pierre Leguillon's 2006 exhibition 'Chercher l'auteur' questioned image display.
  • André Morin advocates for 'involved documentary' photography.
  • Philippe Chancel's journalistic background ensures independence in commissioned work.
  • Eric Troncy commissioned multiple photographers for the 'Coolustre' catalogue.
  • Agma magazine uses images exclusively to discuss exhibition making.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • art press 2
  • Metro Pictures
  • CNEAI
  • Centre Pompidou
  • Le coin du miroir
  • Le Consortium
  • Libération
  • L'Echo des Savanes
  • Connaissance des arts
  • Fondation Cartier
  • Bibliothèque Kandinsky
  • Frog
  • Le Magasin de Grenoble
  • Documenta 12
  • Kunsthalle Bern
  • Agma magazine
  • Art Press
  • Beaux-Arts Magazine
  • Purple
  • Le Journal des Arts
  • Éditions du Seuil
  • Éditions Sommaire
  • Actes Sud
  • Éditions du Centre Pompidou
  • JRP|Ringier
  • Éditions Voldemeer
  • Springer Wien
  • Hatje Cantz
  • Taschen
  • Éditions Xavier Barral

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy
  • New York
  • United States
  • Chatou
  • France
  • Dijon
  • Paris
  • Washington
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Vienna
  • Austria
  • Düsseldorf
  • Germany
  • South Africa
  • Kassel
  • Bern
  • Switzerland
  • Grenoble

Sources