'Exactly Which Reality Are You Referring To?' - a new solo exhibition with photographic self-portraits by Swedish artist Per Huttner. For the exhibition Huttner mixes work from three series that have been developed over the past two years. They are held together by Huttner's investigations into the inherent sadness of the human condition.
Kontainer Gallery is proud to present "Reality? Exactly Which Reality Are You
Referring To?" - a new solo exhibition with photographic self-portraits by
Swedish artist Per Huttner.
For the exhibition Huttner mixes work from three series that have
been developed over the past two years. They are held together by
Huttner's investigations into the inherent sadness of the human
condition. With clear references to film imagery it is impossible to
ignore such evident references as Ingmar Bergman and August
Strindberg - two giants in Scandinavian culture.
Documentary traditions are the starting point for Huttner's images.
But rather than presenting one single solid image, he portrays a
multi-facetted reality. The photographs are rich with contradictions
that explore and visualize social conventions, cultural difference
and most importantly different ideas and strategies and unconscious
conceptions that we apply to ourselves and to our everyday life.
In 'The Hunchback in Beverly Hills' (2001), we see the artist wearing
impeccably white sportswear and his physique is distorted by a large
hump on his back. Drawing inspirations from romantic writer Victor
Hugo and juxtaposing it with Californian fitness culture and cosmetic
surgery he creates images that are both critical, funny, sad and
compelling.
Similarly, in 'Revisiting Romanticism' (2002-03) the artist is clad
in a torn wedding dress in various improbable locations around the
globe. Both the context and expression is a vehicle for Huttner to
research how our individual realities are constructed and affected by
our wishes and failures.
In 'The Daniel Blivougle Files' (2002) the artist has selected yet
another guise. Questioning the sheer possibility of experiencing a
single and coherent reality he appears as a blind man. Or is the
reality right in front of us, but we are too scared to see it?
Per Huttner is currently based in Paris, France and works frequently
in Los Angeles - a city that he loves passionately. He has shown
extensively in the US, Europe and Asia. Previous exhibitions include
'Slowdive' at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco and
'Take Off' at Galerie Krinzinger in Vienna. In 2003 he will have solo
exhibitions at The Chisenhale Gallery in London and at Sub Bau in
Göteborg, Sweden.
In the image: himself running in a series.
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 1, 2003 / 6-8 pm
Gallery Hours: 12 - 6 pm, Tue - Sat
Venue: Kontainer Gallery
6130 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca 90048
Tel: 323 933 4746