Urban Spaces: Andreas Gursky, Candida Höfer, Axel Hütte, Thomas Ruff, Thomas Struth

28.05.09 - Contemporary photography

Until the end of August, Fundación Proa presents the exhibition Urban Spaces: Andreas Gursky, Candida Höfer, Axel Hütte, Thomas Ruff, Thomas Struth. The show analyzes the evolution on the concept of the city in contemporary culture through the ideas and images produced by five members of the so called Düsseldorf School of Photography: Andreas Gursky, Candida Höfer, Axel Hütte, Thomas Ruff and Thomas Struth.

Curated by Ludovico Pratesi, researcher and specialist in photography, in collaboration with Benedetta Carpi De Resmini, the exhibition is composed by 45 works produced from the early eighties until recent times. It is designed to take the visitor first through the artists’ early works –those produced during their formative years– and continuing with their most recent body of work, in which an individual selection from each artist emphasizes their stylistic differences and personal characteristics.

This is the first time Gursky, Höfer, Hütte, Ruff and Struth are invited to reflect of a common theme –the city–. The works exhibited at Fundación Proa are the result of the close dialogue between the artists and the curator, and depicts the different interpretations and relation each artist has with the urban space. “The exhibition includes some of the artists’ master works, such as May Day IV by Andreas Gursky, the m.d.p.n. series by Thomas Ruff and the photos of Louvre by Candida Höfer. At the same time, in the selection made with Höfer there are some important shots taken in Buenos Aires –where the exhibition is displayed–, a city which fascinated and interested her in a very special way”, explains the curator Pratesi.

During the 1980s, their teachers Bernd and Hilla Becher conveyed the city theme as an important artistic reference. Subsequently, each one of them developed a unique and personal style, following the drastic changes caused by the rapid globalization of urban cultures. Their images depicting different sites around the world combine the local details with the usual feelings and experiences of contemporary societies. Each piece recreates a unique and defined universe that concentrates in the interrelation that exists between man and his surroundings, together with all its anthropological and sociocultural implications.

“This exhibition is part of the cultural program of Fundación Proa, in which we present different disciplines of current contemporary art. In the same way that we once organized exhibitions of photographers Andrés Serrano or Sebastián Selgado, we now considered that bringing works of these five artists of the Düsseldorf School was practically inevitable within the international contemporary context”, explains Adriana Rosenberg, director of Proa.

The exhibition catalogue, a bilingual publication with large prints of the exhibited works and referential images, becomes one of the first Spanish catalogues for the joint group. The critical essays by curator Pratesi and acclaimed art critics such as Armin Zweite, Pablo Perulli and Valeria González give clear evidence not only of the contradictions of the contemporary city, but also of the history behind the Düsseldorf School and the artists' influence on artistic expression, together with their revolutionary input on the photographic medium within the global context.

The exhibition, sponsored by Tenaris and Organización Techint, and with the collaboration from Italian Embassy in Argentina, is accompanied by special events that will take place in Fundación Proa´s Auditorium, including a film and video programme with the city as the main theme.

Fundación Proa is a contemporary art centre located in the traditional neighbourhood of La Boca, in the city of Buenos Aires. Since 1996, it has carried out temporary exhibitions of national and foreign artists, and organized educational and exchange programmes with prestigious cultural institutions.

Exhibition Catalogue

The exhibition catalogue, conformed by approximately 200 pages, including large prints of the photographs exhibited and referential images, will be a bilingual publication, becoming one of the first Spanish catalogues for the joint group.

Each artist will count with a special section that will include an unpublished interview and a small biography. The critical essays by curator Ludovico Pratesi, and acclaimed art critics such as Armin Zweite, Pablo Perulli, and Valeria González, give clear evidence not only of the contradictions and problematics of the contemporary city, but also of the history behind the Düsseldorf School of Photography, and the artists' influence on artistic expression together with their revolutionary input on the photographic medium within the global context.

Education

The exhibition rooms count with the permanent presence of the educators whom belong to the Department of Education of FFundación PROA, especially capacitated for this exhibition. In addition, different interactive proposals are offered: programmed visits in Spanish and Englisg, studio visits, and school-group visits.

Programmed guided visits in Spanish

Tuesday to Friday, at 3 and 5 pm.

Saturday and Sunday, at 12, 3 pm and 5 pm.

For guided visits in English, booking is required at educacion@proa.org / 4104 1041

Studio visits

The opportunity to analyze some of the exhibited pieces and discuss relevant questions.

Every Friday at 4 pm (in Spanish).

Duration: 1 hour

Questions and inscriptions: educacion@proa.org / 4104 1041

School-group visits

The school program offers students and professors the opportunity to approach contemporary art. Guided visits are offered with suggested classroom activities.

Questions and inscriptions: educacion@proa.org / 4104 1041

Auditorium

The exhibition will be accompanied by special events and activities that will take place in Fundación Proa´s auditorium.

Urban Spaces: Andreas Gursky, Candida Höfer, Axel Hütte, Thomas Ruff, Thomas Struth will open to the public on Saturday, May 30th until the end of July, 2009 in FUNDACIÓN PROA, Av. Pedro de Mendoza 1929, La Boca, Buenos Aires. Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 to 7 pm.

Admission is ARG$ 10 (general), ARG$ 6 (students) y ARG$ 3 (retired).

Urban Spaces: Andreas Gursky, Candida Höfer, Axel Hütte, Thomas Ruff, Thomas Struth

From May 30th, 2009

Until end of July 2009

Curator

Ludovico Pratesi

In collaboration with Benedeta Carpi De Resmini

Exhibition and Catalogue coordination

Camila Jurado

Aime Iglesias Lukin

Invited consultant

Valeria González