Four Photography Exhibitions Explore Time, Humanity, and the Everyday
The article reviews four photography exhibitions in Paris and London (2011). Jean-Christian Bourcart's series "I Shot The Crowd" (2009-10) and "Camden" (2008-09) capture anonymous crowds and the dangerous streets of Camden, New Jersey, seeking human connection amid chaos. His earlier works "Forbidden City" and "Traffic" revealed hidden worlds like Parisian swingers' clubs and Frankfurt brothels. His final series "Black Sheet" is criticized as formalistic. Cao Guimarães's "Gambiarras" (Jury-rigging) at Galerie Xippas (March 26 – May 14) documents improvised, precarious objects in Brazil, evoking Dada and Fischli/Weiss. David Hilliard's "Vies de David Hilliard" at La Galerie Particulière (May 12 – July 30) presents a decade of his life through diptychs and polyptychs, exploring time and family. Douglas Gordon's "Phantom" at Galerie Yvon Lambert (April 15 – June 3) includes a neon text "Je suis le nombril du monde" destroyed by the artist, 400 framed images in "I am also Hyde," and a theatrical installation with mirrors, a broken grand piano, and video of Rufus Wainwright.
Key facts
- Jean-Christian Bourcart's series include 'Forbidden City', 'Traffic', 'I Shot The Crowd' (2009-10), 'Camden' (2008-09), and 'Black Sheet'.
- Bourcart's 'Camden' focuses on Camden, New Jersey, the most dangerous US city, exploring gangs and homelessness.
- Cao Guimarães's 'Gambiarras' shows improvised objects from Brazil, referencing Dada and Fischli/Weiss.
- David Hilliard's 'Vies de David Hilliard' covers ten years of his life using diptychs and polyptychs.
- Douglas Gordon's 'Phantom' includes a neon text 'Je suis le nombril du monde' destroyed by the artist.
- Gordon's 'I am also Hyde' features 400 framed images in a dense hang reminiscent of 19th-century Salons.
- Gordon's installation includes mirrors, a broken grand piano, and video of composer Rufus Wainwright.
- Exhibition dates: Bourcart at Kailash, VU' la galerie (March 25 – May 7); Guimarães at Galerie Xippas (March 26 – May 14); Hilliard at La Galerie Particulière (May 12 – July 30); Gordon at Galerie Yvon Lambert (April 15 – June 3).
Entities
Artists
- Jean-Christian Bourcart
- Cao Guimarães
- David Hilliard
- Douglas Gordon
- Claude Cahun
- Rufus Wainwright
- Maurice Merleau-Ponty
- Charles Baudelaire
- Georges Bataille
- Fischli and Weiss
Institutions
- Kailash, VU' la galerie
- Galerie Xippas
- La Galerie Particulière
- Galerie Yvon Lambert
- Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Camden
- New Jersey
- United States
- Frankfurt
- Germany
- Brazil
- Latin America
- China
Sources
- artpress —