New York, a bustling metropolis, is renowned for its cultural institutions like the International Center of Photography, the newly opened Fotografiska gallery, and the iconic MoMA, all pivotal in the realm of global photographic art. Planning a visit to the Big Apple? Blind Magazine has carefully selected five current exhibitions in New York that are a must-see.
Bygone glamour: “Play the part, Marlene Dietrich“
In the midst of New York’s artistic buzz, the International Center for Photography (ICP) showcases “Play the Part: Marlene Dietrich” until January 8, 2024, as a tribute to the enduring icon of cinema and fashion. Step into Dietrich’s intriguing world, her fascinating film career, and the lasting influence in the fashion industry.
This exhibition takes visitors on a journey through Dietrich’s evolving persona via captivating images from esteemed photographers like Irving Penn and Edward Steichen. Tracking her journey from Berlin to Hollywood stardom, each photograph unveils the various aspects of her enigmatic and charismatic character. The exhibition offers an intimate yet magnificent photographic narrative, celebrating Dietrich’s compelling presence—a quintessential muse for photographers.
Life companions: A focus on domestic animals with “Best in Show“
Nestled in Manhattan’s dynamic Flatiron district, Fotografiska presents “Best in Show“, a photographic ode to our loyal animal friends, available for viewing until February 26, 2024. This exhibition delves into the profound connections between humans and their pets.
The showcased photographs challenge viewers to reconsider the roles of our “pet companions” in our lives, asking who truly accompanies whom. Through the lens of contemporary photographers, each image captures shared moments of companionship, play, or contemplation, resonating with pet owners everywhere. The exhibit celebrates the unbreakable bonds we share with our four-legged companions, featuring works ranging from Robin Schwartz’s intimate portraits to Sophie Gamand’s delightful images of dogs enjoying their baths, all of which demonstrate Fotografiska’s ability to engage and inspire.
The English Channel, Guadeloupe, New Orleans: Three coastal areas at the International Center of Photography
Make your way back to the ICP for “Immersion“, open until January 15, 2024. This exhibition presents the works of three photographers, each offering a unique perspective on different coastal regions: the northern coast of France, the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, and the vibrant city of New Orleans:
- Gregory Halpern’s work delves into the complex colonial history of Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory, with his project “Let the Sun Beheaded Be”, inspired by a line from Aimé Césaire.
- Raymond Meeks’s photographs, taken along the French coast, from the Spanish border to the beaches of Calais, capture the journey undertaken by migrants seeking a better life. Rather than portray the stowaways, the images focus on the obstacles they encounter.
- Vasantha Yogananthan highlights New Orleans’ vibrant diversity and rich contrasts.
Chronicles of the Hudson Valley by Andrew Moore
At the Yancey Richardson Gallery, the exhibition “Whiskey Point and Other Tales” running until January 6, 2024, showcases Andrew Moore’s exploration of the Hudson Valley’s historical depth and natural beauty, just a short drive outside the Big Apple. The collection of large-scale photographs guides visitors through a narrative journey, merging past with present and decay with renewal.
Moore’s works are distinguished by their use of vibrant colors and intricate details. A notable piece, Whiskey Point, East Kingston, features an impromptu appearance of another photographer against the backdrop of the Hudson River, offering a layered perspective on Moore’s own work. The collection as a whole depicts the Hudson Valley as a landscape where natural beauty and remnants of the past exist in a melancholy harmony. This exhibition encourages viewers to ponder the evolving nature of landscapes and their historical significance. Moore’s artistic vision captures the spirit of these historically sites, remote yet intimately familiar to New Yorkers.
An-My Lê: Between Mekong and Mississippi
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) presents the compelling exhibition “Between Two Rivers/Giữa hai giòng sông/Entre deux rivières” by Vietnamese-American artist An-My Lê, available for viewing until August 6. This exhibit delves into the intricate interplay between landscapes and individuals marked by warfare.
Did you know? An-My Lê: From Vietnam to the United States
Born in Vietnam in 1960, Lê relocated to the United States in 1975 as a political refugee in the wake the fall of Saigon. Her unique dual perspective intertwines the narratives of two mythical rivers: the turbulent Mekong and the mighty Mississippi.
Renowned for her poignant portrayal of conflict and its aftermath, Lê’s exhibition features a series of expansive photographs. Beyond mere photojournalism, each image stimulates contemplation of identity, memory, displacement, and diaspora. Laden with the vestiges of violence, Lê’s deeply evocative work provides an insightful lens into the ways environments and individuals are forged by the legacy of conflict.
Key takeaways:
- The International Center of Photography is currently hosting two remarkable exhibitions: “Play the Part, Marlene Dietrich” and “Immersion”.
- Fotografiska’s “Best in Show”, on view until February 26, 2024, is a heartwarming exhibition that explores the profound bond between humans and their pets.
- “Whiskey Point and Other Tales” and “Between Two Rivers/Giữa hai giòng sông” explore the transformations of nature and man, bridging past and present.
