New Vision/New Generation

About

László Moholy-Nagy (1895-1946) was the first instructor to introduce experimental photography to the Bauhaus, and later in Chicago at the Illinois Institute of Technology. His “New Vision” spread widely throughout the post World War II pedagogical network and continues to the present. Moholy’s photograms were created by placing diverse materials directly on photographic paper, which was then exposed and fixed to create unique, mysterious and evocative compositions. Several rare photograms from the 1920s will be included in our show. 

Alejandra Laviada (b.1980), is based in Mexico. In her Geometry of Space series she creates deep dark spaces that resemble the structure and mystery of Moholy’s photograms. Here, she uses discarded building materials that are multiply exposed in camera to form powerful abstract compositions. She embraces Moholy’s credo, as expressed in his 1923 publication Painting Photography Film, that each work must find its medium- in this case abstract photography. 

Luigi Ghirri (1943-1992) transformed the outlook of photography in Europe beginning in the 1970s, pioneering the use of color and merging document and concept in diverse bodies of work ranging from his Atlante series to Kodachrome. Working primarily in Italy, and often collaborating with artists in other media, until recent years, Ghirri has not been well-known in the United States. His work has entered the canon along with such early color practitioners as Eggleston and Stephen Shore. We will exhibit several vintage prints from the 1970s that anticipate the urban geometry and wit of Andrea Grützner.


East German born Andrea Grützner (b.1984), expresses herself through architectural subjects – first in her Erbgericht (guest house) series, and as photographer in residence in Koblenz, with das Eck (the corner). Koblenz was severely damaged during World War II, thus presenting a great opportunity for the juxtaposition of old and new in its architecture and materials. The irony, humor, optimism and keen graphic sense that Ghirri demonstrated is clearly exemplified in Grützner’s project.

Laviada is currently featured on the cover of the November/December issue of Photograph Magazine and has exhibited widely in the United States and elsewhere. She received her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and her MFA from the School of Visual Arts. Grützner completed her BA (honors) at HTWG Konstanz and her MA at FH Bielefeld. She was recently the winner of the ING Unseen Talent Award (Jury Prize), 2017. A full CV of each is featured on our website: saulgallery.com.