On the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Richard Avedonthe galerie Gagosian brought together a historical collection of 150 photos selected by major players in the world of art and culture. The opportunity to return to the highlights of the work of this photographer who left behind him an artistic heritage that new generations continue to draw inspiration from.
Richard Avedon in search of expression
native of the city New-York, Richard Avedon receives his first camera at the age of 10. In full artistic awakening, he painted the portrait of Sergei Rachmaninoff, at the time a neighbor of his grandparents. This same camera will follow him into the ranks of the American armed forces during the Second World War, where he is assistant photographer second class in the navy. At the end of the conflict, he was employed as an advertising photographer for a New York store before hitting the eye ofAlexey Brodovitch, to integrate the magazine Harper’s Bazaard and create his own studio. From this period, we retain the series of photos Dovima with elephants, which would later become the most expensive fashion shot in history. In 1966, he began a collaboration with Vogue next to Diana Vreeland.
But aside from her remarkable fashion shots, Richard Avedon is illustrated by taking the opposite view of this era when the trend is for frozen and dark portraits, by taking expressive and lively photos. He captures both personalities from the West of the country on the margins of American society such as miners and cowboys, as well as political figures such as Ronald Reaganor celebrities from the arts and music industry, from Francis Bacon To Marylin Monroe Passing by Janis Joplin and the Beatles.
The synthetic exhibition of the Gagosian gallery
Miuccia Prada, Elton John, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Sophia Coppola…A long list of celebrities and artists contributed to this celebration of the centenary of the birth of Richard Avedon, commenting on his work. In fact, the exhibition AVEDON 100 presents emblematic and rare shots from the different themes that have intrinsically marked the work of Richard Avedon ; among them, his singular murals and some unique exhibition prints, some of which had never before been exhibited publicly. A fascinating diversity of subjects, which highlights the profound influence of Richard Avedon on visual culture around the world, and testifies to his technical and artistic prowess in film photography.
In September 2023, a book titled AVEDON 100 will be published by Gagosian et Rizzoli internationally, in order to perpetuate this celebration on a larger scale.
AVEDON 100 at Gagosian Gallery through June 24, 2023, 522 West 21st Street, New York www.gagosian.com
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