Stephen Shore
dal 10/12/2003 al 20/1/2004
Segnalato da
10/12/2003
Stephen Shore
Spruth Magers Lee, London
The majority of the images selected for this exhibition are urban landscapes devoid of human presence. Critics have commented that these scenes of abandonment are reflective of the American psyche (this was the post Atomic bomb generation, the time of the Vietnam War and a period of economic depression). These almost mournful, yet alluring scenes of urban wasteland alert us to the increasing commodification of the American landscape.
Sprüth Magers Lee is proud to present the first solo exhibition in the
U.K. of Stephen Shore's colour photographs. The show will include works
featured in this year's Cruel and Tender exhibition at Tate Modern, in
addition to previously unpublished photographs.
Shore's career began at the early age of fourteen, when he made the
precocious move of presenting his photographs to Edward Steichen, then
curator of photography at MOMA. Recognising Shore's talent, Steichen
bought three of his works. Three years later Shore met Andy Warhol and
asked if he could spend time in The Factory, documenting what he saw.
His years at The Factory influenced his vision and interests – he became
more aware of the phenomenon of mass and popular culture and the
strengths of serial imagery. Aged twenty-four he became the first
living photographer to have a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum
in New York with his black and white conceptual works. Although
interested in colour photography through his postcard collection, up to
this point Shore had worked solely in black and white. It was a remark
of disappointment by an acquaintance that immediately spurred him to
work in colour, the field in which he has dominated ever since.
In 1972 Shore left New York and embarked on his first road trip around
America. The resulting series – American Surfaces - (taken with a 35mm
camera) is a vivid depiction that details the traces of the American
life he saw around him. Shore fastidiously recorded every detail, from
his sandwich to a dirty floor. Each view receives the same impartial
treatment, revealing his democratic approach to subject matter. The
everyday carton of milk becomes quietly monumental.
American Surfaces inspired Shore to take further road trips throughout
the 1970's, which culminated in Uncommon Places - larger format pictures
taken with a viewfinder camera. The majority of the images selected for
this exhibition are urban landscapes devoid of human presence. Critics
have commented that these scenes of abandonment are reflective of the
American psyche (this was the post Atomic bomb generation, the time of
the Vietnam War and a period of economic depression). These almost
mournful, yet alluring scenes of urban wasteland alert us to the
increasing commodification of the American landscape. It has been said
that Shore's outlook has influenced an entire generation of
photographers – most notably the Düsseldorf School.
In spring 2004, Aperture will publish a comprehensive book, including
over 100 plates, from Stephen Shore's Uncommon Places series.
Reception for the artist Thursday December 11th 6 – 8pm
Sprüth Magers Lee
12 Berkeley Street London W1J 8DT
Open: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 11-4
Tube: Green Park