WHAT I'VE SEEN
This section of my weebly will show any exhibitions/photography work that I have seen/visited.
The Photographers' Gallery: Primose: Early Colour Photography In Russia
This exhibition at The Photographers' Gallery displayed many photographs from Russia when colour first began being used. The rooms in the gallery were laid out in a simple format, with some walls painted a dark red to emphasise the feel that the photographs gave off as well as representing how Bolshevik propaganda used the colour red in the 1920s and 30s. The photographs presented both the history of photography in Russia as well as the history of Russia itself (through photography).
In terms of the actual photography displayed, the exhibition featured various types including 'hand-tinting of images to early 20th century tri-plate isochromatic photographs and autochromes'. It also shows photographs taken when colour film was only used by a few official publications to produce the Socialist realism which helped to serve the Stalinist ideological machine. It then displays photographs from the 1970s when the public could afford new inexpensive colour transparency film and unofficial culture was developing rapidly. There were both aspects of the exhibition that I liked and disliked. I didn't find some of the photographs very interesting in terms of what they were actually of, as some were quite typical and basic portraits of people. However, it was interesting seeing how early colour photography was used, especially in Russia as it was probably used very differently to how it was in Western countries. Also, I don't know very much about Russia, so it was interesting to see how many photographers had captured the culture in the 1970s, a time which seemed to be very different in Russia compared to what I know about that era in other countries. |
Below is a video interview with the curator of this exhibition, Olga Sbivlova.
The Photographers' Gallery: Lorenzo Vitturi: Dalston Anatomy
This exhibition featured photographs, sculptures and installations. capturing street scenes, local characters and the spirit and nature of Dalston's Ridley Road Market. Vitturi's work heavily features a lot of bright colour, emphasising the many different items he sees at the market, and the bold nature of his local area.
He reflects the temporary structure of the market by using a range of raw materials in his scultures. Also, great size of them emphasises the colours, further enhancing the brightness of the objects. |
Below is a video showing Lorenzo Vitturi talking about his exhibition 'Dalston Anatomy'.
Royal Institute of British Architects: Edwin Smith, Ordinary Beauty
This exhibition displayed photos by the photographer Edwin Smith, who is well known for capturing architecture in a very unique way. Over 100 black and white photographs are featured, from interesting landscapes to urban scenes capturing British culture to architecture in Europe, particularly Italy. These 100 photographs were picked from a huge collection of over 60,000 negatives and 20,000 prints in the RIBA archive.
This is one of my favourite photographs from the exhibition. It captures an iconic scene in British culture that is still true today. The simplicity and mysterious nature makes viewers wonder where this shop is, yet it is still a very familiar sight for many, due to the popularity of fish and chip shops. Smith has chosen an interesting angle to capture the action in this shop, with only the baby in the corner's face being clear to see. Also, this shot captures the moment almost as if you were in the shop yourself. Even though it is in black and white, this photo makes the shop seem that it features quite dull colours anyway, strongly reflecting the time at which it was taken, the late 1950s.
|
This photograph reflects Smith's creative and unique thinking in his photography. It is very modern for when it was taken, 1937. This type of angle was unusual to use at the time, along with it's simplicity. Viewer's are not aware at first where the woman is, as the photograph has a very mysterious nature about it. The contrasting and bold colours play a strong part in this photo as they portray a somewhat man made yet natural elegance. As it was taken for a fashion shoot, Smith has cleverly positioned the woman to not make her completely in focus, but yet still the main focal point in the photograph. Also, this photo works incredibly well in black and white, as it emphasises it's effective subtle nature. The angle of this shot has allowed the light to create interesting shades, such as the changing shades on the hand rail.
|
Smith has captured the seaside town of Whitby in North Yorkshire in a very elegant yet mysterious way in this photograph. I particularly like how there is a lot to look at in this photo. At first glance, it is easy to focus mainly on the textures and shades of the rooftop as it takes up nearly half of the image. But then you notice the impressive roofscape that the image looks out on to. Smith has captured the mist over the tops of the houses, which add to the mysterious, illusive feel that is given off. The positioning of the houses in the town creates interesting shades and textures on the roofs as the light reflects in different ways off them. Smith placed his camera in an incredibly clever position as it was high enough to capture Whitby over such a long distance. This allows the photo to show houses, the river running throughout the middle of the town, the different buildings on the other side, the countryside beyond, and then even the sun in the sky.
|
This is another photograph that is very modern for it's time, the 1930s. Smith has captured what is usually and intended to be a fun colourful ride in a bleak and dark way. He has angled this shot to show many different textures and contrasting shades of colour. The chains and dangling chairs stick out very strongly against the white clouds. Even the shapes of the clouds are accented against the dark sky. I particularly like the contrast between the natural patterns created in the sky with the man made patterns of the dangling chains and chairs of the ride.
|
This photograph has been timed perfectly to capture a unique moment and interesting scene. Smith has been able to allow viewers of this photo to get a sense of what the weather was like in this scene, unusual for most photographs. We can see this from the drying washing and the womans dress, which are both clearly being blown in the wind. A very common yet strange situation is displayed in this photo, but it is still very interesting to look at. Smith has beautifully captured the countryside in this area by the shot being positioned in a very straight on, almost symetrical way. I think that this photograph also works extremely well in black and white as many different textures are displayed. Even though everything looks quite grey on first glance, you soon realise the many different small details within the nature in this photo. The clouds seem to cover the whole sky yet you can see the natural colours where more light is being shone through.
|
Here is a link to the RIBA's website, where there is more information about this exhibiton:
http://www.architecture.com/Explore/ExhibitionsandEvents/EdwinSmith/EdwinSmith.aspx
http://www.architecture.com/Explore/ExhibitionsandEvents/EdwinSmith/EdwinSmith.aspx
Museum of Childhood: Toy Stories
This exhibition was produced by Gabriele Galimberti and was displayed at the V&A Museum of Childhood. The exhibition contains a series of portraits of children around the world, showing their toys, reflecting their background and the universality of play. I really liked this exhibition for a number of reasons, such as how bright and colourful a lot of the photographs were. Galimberti took each photo in the same way, in a straight viewing angle, with each child's toys directly below them, making them all very symetrical. Not only does Galimberti capture the toys that each child best thinks represents them, but viewers also get a glimpse in to what their homes and areas are like. Each photograph appear very similar as a result of the symmetry, yet also very different as it is clear that each child comes from very different backgrounds.