Dear Shaded Viewers //
In between my myriad of shows and studio visits I had the opportunity to view two exhibitions in Stockholm. ONE being the well-traveled show Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life curated by Michell M. Roy for the Fotografiska Museum and TWO Today Is Yesterday Tomorrow a group show highlighting 20 years of Swedish artistry at the Galleri Magnus Karlsson. Below is a brief look at the two exhibitions.
ANNIE LEIBOVITZ: A Photographer's Life
(William Burroughs in Garage Lawrence, KS – '95 Gelatin Silver Prints and Notes from "A Volcano Lover" Berlin, DE – '90 Gelatin Silver Prints)
I was not surprised to see the abundance of celebrity images in the Stockholm offerings of Leibovitz's work – for most, this is why we comes to see her exhibitions.
Being a culture writer, I must admit that I most enjoyed the moments of Burroughs or Morris and of course the intimate look at a love letter shown on both a computer screen as well as those that were hand-written. In between the environmental images and the prints of fighter planes – I found a new respect for the infamous photographer. A must see if you are in the area.
Closing early September http://fotografiska.eu/Museet/Utstaellningar/A-Photographer-s-Life-1990-2005
IDAG AR IGAR IMORGON or TODAY IS YESTERDAY TOMORROW
(Maria Nordin: The Feral Child Watercolour on paper and a detail of a Thomas Broome piece)
Literally on my last day in Stockholm, as I was trying to navigate myself back to the Berns Hotel, I stumbled upon the Galleri Magnus Karlsson where the above Nordin image caught my eye. Somehow I sweet-talked my way into the closed gallery and Mr. Karlsson himself and his lovely gallerist gave me a preview of their 20 year retrospective of Swedish artists. The show is slatted to open on the 26th of August and is sure to be a hot ticket. Many of the pieces are still in transit from various parts of the world (and even some of the pieces are TBD to the gallerist himself). From what I could see the exhibition will span watercolor, sculpture, paint and ceramics. The show will highlight nearly 30 artists but there was one artist I cannot get out of my head – that is Klara Kristalova.
Kristalova's work is primarily in watercolor and ceramics – offering a dark and complex sensibility. I cannot help but reference Tim Burton and / or a Marilyn Manson aesthetic. Here is a small selection of her pieces.
(all work and images courtesy of the Gallery. Image one is titled: She's Got a Good Head – glazed stoneware. Image two titled: Mouse – watercolour).
Opening late August http://www.gallerimagnuskarlsson.com/current_exhibition.html
– Arlette
