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November 11, 2016

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HomeCity specialsHangzhou

Exhibition of German photographer brings the ordinary to life

FOR almost 30 years German photographer Candida Höfer photographed interiors, mostly opulent theaters, museums and palaces, but at her recent solo exhibition in Hangzhou she put on some works of ordinary life.

Dripping mops, roasted duck, washed clothes hanging on the streets — she captured them all while touring the country.

“I was fascinated by Asia as it is so different from the West,” Höfer said.

A video series “Echo,” consisting of more than 30 pictures, is played on the wall. All the photos gave a visual of the artist herself, as they were taken by Höfer when she was facing shopping windows.

Höfer is known for her technically perfect pictures of people-less building interiors accessible to the public, such as the Whitney Museum in New York, Villa Medici in Rome, and the National Library of France in Paris.

At this exhibition her large pieces include photographs of Cuvillies Theater Munchen, State Archive of Napoli, and Vicenza’s Olympic Theater.

Their colors are deeply saturated and the details are extraordinary. Almost completely devoid of people, they radiate a comforting serenity that is exceptional in contemporary photography.

Höfer never uses flash — just natural light or existing artificial light. Where there is very little light, she uses very long exposures, some lasting hours.

The digital processing of color and brightness is crucial and often a lengthy process before you get the desired effects. To arrange them in the hall in a proper way, is as important as photographing or post processing.

“Her works reflect solemnness and serenity. People forget about the rigid standard and rules of photography when they watch them,” said curator Chen Dongfan.

Date: Through December 20, 12pm-5pm, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Address: Mansion 12, 139 Liuhe Rd

Admission: Free


 

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