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28/6/2007

Mitch Epstein

Foam Photography Museum, Amsterdam

American Work

Foam presents recent work by American photographer Mitch Epstein. Over the last thirty years Epstein has emerged as one of America’s leading contemporary photographers. His work reveals a unique talent for balanced colour compositions, although he often undermines the formal perfection with his disturbing and occasionally provocative subject matter.

‘American Work’ examines Epstein’s fascination with American society in a presentation of work from two major projects. Focus of the show are monumental works from Epstein’s American Power series. In this ongoing project Epstein investigates various connotations of the words ‘American power’: from images of power stations to the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. These pictures are accompanied by work from Family Business. In this series Epstein charts the demise of his father’s family business, referring implicitly to themes such as successive waves of immigrants to the United States and the American judicial system.

In American Power Epstein probes the use and abuse of energy in the United States. The images focus, often by implication, on the use of fossil fuels, as well as wind, water and nuclear power. On his travels in the United States, Epstein is often stopped and questioned by local police and FBI agents for photographing nuclear facilities from public areas. Although he breaks no laws, he is repeatedly given to understand that it would be better to desist. Epstein’s palpable unease with a police system that upholds corporate law in preference to constitutional law is evident in many of his photos.

Epstein explores the definition of ‘American power’. His work is not just about the power of the state, or American companies; it is about the power of the consumer impulse and sexuality. This new project involves a complex mosaic of economic, social, ecological and aesthetic aspects.

Family Business also concentrates on themes that play an essential part in American society. Here these examined at through the prism of a personal narrative, the story of the collapse of Epstein’s father’s furniture company. At the end of his life, his father sees his own American Dream disintegrate before his very eyes. The demise of the business is inescapable, as the people who lived in the neighbourhood move out to the suburbs and the area becomes impoverished. A fire in one of the tenements Epstein’s father bought to ensure a comfortable old age is the last straw. Mitch Epstein charts this family drama with empathy, yet sufficient distance, in a series that includes a film as part of the show.

Image: Flag, 2000 © Mitch Epstein, courtesy Galerie Thomas Zander, Cologne

FOAM Photography Museum
Keizersgracht 609 - Amsterdam

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