Piotr Uklanski's Dual Exhibitions at the Met Explore Photography, History, and Desire
From March 17 to August 16, 2015, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City hosted two exhibitions by Polish artist Piotr Uklanski. The first, 'Fatal Attraction: Piotr Uklanski Photographs,' highlighted his photographic creations, while the second, 'Piotr Uklanski Selects from the Met Collection,' featured his curated choices and concluded on June 14. Uklanski's 2007 piece 'Untitled (Solidarity)' appeared as banners in the Great Hall. The exhibitions included his earlier series 'Joy of Photography' (1997-2007) and the installation 'The Nazis.' 'Piotr Uklanski Selects' emphasized themes of Eros and Thanatos, showcasing works by various prominent artists, alongside Uklanski's 2015 sculpture 'Untitled (Sacre Coeur)' and ancient artifacts.
Key facts
- Two exhibitions: 'Fatal Attraction: Piotr Uklanski Photographs' and 'Piotr Uklanski Selects from the Met Collection'
- Dates: March 17 to August 16, 2015 (Selects closed June 14)
- Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York City
- Artist: Piotr Uklanski, Polish artist who immigrated to the U.S. in 1990
- Great Hall banners reconstituted Uklanski's 2007 work 'Untitled (Solidarity)' with Gdansk shipyard soldiers
- 'Joy of Photography' series (1997-2007) used Kodak manual instructions
- 'The Nazis' (1998) installation featured Hollywood actors like Clint Eastwood and Frank Sinatra
- 'Untitled (GingerAss)' (2002) collaboration with curator Alison Gingeras referenced Lynda Benglis's 1974 Artforum ad
- Selection exhibition organized around Eros and Thanatos themes from eleven Met departments
- Featured artists in selection included Nadar, Alfred Stieglitz, August Sander, Francesca Woodman, Sally Mann, Martin Munkacsi, Malick Sidibé, Robert Capa, Laurie Simmons, Pierre-Louis Pierson, Picasso
- Uklanski's 2015 sculpture 'Untitled (Sacre Coeur)' in red resin displayed with Egyptian mouth fragment
- Greek marble hand fragment from ca. 300 B.C. possibly from Eros statue
Entities
Artists
- Piotr Uklanski
- Lynda Benglis
- Alison Gingeras
- Guy Bourdin
- Gavin Brown
- Nadar
- Alfred Stieglitz
- August Sander
- Francesca Woodman
- Sally Mann
- Martin Munkacsi
- Malick Sidibé
- Robert Capa
- Laurie Simmons
- Pierre-Louis Pierson
- Pablo Picasso
- Clint Eastwood
- Harrison Ford
- Ronald Reagan
- Robert Redford
- William Shatner
- Frank Sinatra
- Lech Walesa
Institutions
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Artforum
- Gavin Brown's Broome Street
- Kodak
- Solidarnosz
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Poland
- Gdansk