The Martin-Gropius-Bau presents an exhibition of photographs by André Kertész. Exhibition oipen 11 June to 11 September 2011.
Berlin’s Martin-Gropius-Bau is showing a grand retrospective of over 300 photographs by André Kertész, who was born in Hungary and lived in Budapest, Paris and New York.
As the creator of images like “Underwater Swimmer” (1917), “Chez Mondrian” (1926) or “Gabel” (1929) André Kertész has a firm place in 20th century photographic history. It is not only his formally outstanding compositions which won him great esteem, but the surreally inspired poetry with which he captures such apparently simple things and situations. His innovative photographic instinct inspired many of his colleagues: Brassaï learned from him and Henri Cartier-Bresson betrays his influence.
The exhibition is organized by theme, following the main leitmotivs of his oeuvre, such as the recurrent observation of shadows, roofs and chimney tops, or the metaphorical portrayal of feelings like melancholy. In addition, it highlights groups of works that have hitherto been less familiar: early pictures shot during his military service in the First World War and the Polaroid shots he made during the last years in New York. Special attention is paid to Kertész’s influence on the emergence of press photography in Paris from 1928 onwards. Several editions of “VU,” “Art et Médecine”,“ Paris Magazine” and various editions of his feature on the Trappist Monastery in Soligny-la-Trappe will be on view in the exhibition
Image: André Kertész, Juli 1979 Polaroid SX-70 original Courtesy Stephen Bulger Gallery
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