Opening Reception Of Fotografiska In NYC By Wen Shi
Celebrated Stockholm-based photography center Fotografiska opens its first global cultural outpost in New York with a six-story, 45,000 square feet multi-concept design in the heart of flatiron. More than a photography museum, it vows to ‘Inspire a more conscious world through the power of photography.’ The mission is loud and clear as visitors pace freely through three floors of exhibition space featuring works of Ellen von Unwerth, Tawny Chatmon, Helene Schmitz, Anastasia Taylor Lind, and Adi Nes.
Fotografiska building, source: Fotografiska
The building is a registered landmark built in 1894 and originally named “The Church Mission Building” The first floor hosts a café and the speakeasy concept ‘Chapel Bar’. The second floor hosts Stephen Starr’s new restaurant, Veronika, while the six floor is a private space reserved for panel talks, events, and collaborations.
Building Exterior, source: Fotografiska
Exhibits: Fotografiska debuts an impressive exhibition line up with the opening of ‘Fotografiska For Life x TIME’ by Anastasia Taylor Lind. The special collaboration is one of many to come as part of the ‘Fotografiska for Life’ program, and it portrays an intimate documentation of the care givers who raise New York children. This series is especially moving as Lind herself explore the ‘web of American childcare’ and parts of society’s unequal access to childcare. It is a moving documentary journalism and best viewed by reading the text highlighted next to each photo segment.
(Left) Fotografiska Life + Time, Anastasia Taylor Lind, photo by Wen Shi, (Right) Anastasia Taylor Lind, source: Fotografiska
Adi Nes explores political and social questions revolving gender, militarism, myth, and humanitarianism in his portraits. The photographer explains: “The portraits tell true stories about the western society in a period when the line between truth and fiction is blurred”. The portraits are displayed in a cinematic style throughout the floor, here are some of the pieces below.
(Left) Adi Nes – Untitled, from Soldiers (1996)Source: Fotografiska, (Right) Adi Nes – ‘Testament’ – photo by Wen Shi
Tawny Chatmon ‘Inheritance’ celebrates the beauty of African American children and the maternal and familial bond. The creations are beautifully framed in gold gilded frames inspired by works painted in the 15th – 19th century reminiscent of that of Klimt. Some of the portraits are below.
Tawny Chatmon – ‘Girl Enlightment The Redemption,’ source: Fotografiska
Tawny Chatmon – ‘Beloved The Awakening’ Tawny Chatmon – ‘Castles The Redemption’ source Fotografiska, source: Fotografiska.
Exhibition Dates
Adi Nes Dec 14 - Mar 1 2020
Anastasia Taylor Lind Fotografiska For Life x TIME Dec 14 - March 8, 2020
Ellen von Unwerth - Devotion! 30 Years of Photographing Women Tawny Chatmon Inheritance - Dec 14 - March 22, 2020
Helene Schmitz - Thinking Like a Mountain Dec 14 - April 12, 2020
Address
Fotografiska New York 281 Park Ave South (at 22nd street) New York, NY 10010 Nearby station – Take the 4,6 train to 23rd street
Hours
Monday – Wed, Sun 9am – 11pm
Thurs – Sat 9am – 12am
Written by Wen Shi, Contributing Luxury & Lifestyle Editor, PhotoBook Magazine.
Street Talk supports emerging artists who merit being discovered with skills such as dance, art, design, sculpture, architecture, fashion trends, shop the look and fine art photography.
Contributing Luxury & Lifestyle Editor
Wen Shi is a guest contributor, who focuses on the luxury market in New York City. She writes about the latest fashion and restaurants, hotel openings, and future real estate developments.
IG @_wenshi
