Moving into July, new photography and moving-image exhibitions explore notions of selfhood and representation. From innovative visual approaches to immersive video, this selection of shows reflect on personal identity within a number of urban and remote settings.
Structures of Identity, Foam, Amsterdam
Exploring social expression through portraiture, Foam takes a broad cultural approach, presenting images on an expansive chronological and geographical scale. Work by August Sander (1876-1964), Richard Avedon (1923-2004) and Accra Shepp (b. 1962) demonstrate occasions in which identities both fit into and transgress neat categorisation. Until 29 August.
In Search of Beauty, Fundación Foto Colectania, Barcelona
Photographer Saul Leiter’s (b. 1923) unique pictorial language combines painterly abstraction with the ethos of street photography. Often using reflective methodsl, Leiter gave a singular perspective on life in 1940s and 1950s New York. This show offers a selection of multi-layered colour and black and white pieces. Until 21 October.
Summer in the City, Galerie Wouter van Leeuwen, Amsterdam
Offering works by Mark Steinmetz (b. 1961), Andreas Trogisch (b. 1959), Gerry Johansson (b. 1945), Gregory Halpern (b. 1977), this collection explores cars in photography. The selection provides an investigation of globalisation and travel, capturing the myth of the American road trip whilst questioning the impact on the environment made from contemporary modes of transport. Until 28 July
Doug Aitken, Copenhagen Contemporary, Denmark
Presented on a monumental circular screen, Aitken’s (b. 1968) Song 1 is an all-encompassing video piece that leads viewers into a mesmerising cinematic space. The film positions well-known Hollywood actors against backdrops of urban landscapes and contemporary communities, using their rendition of the 1959 song I Only Have Eyes for You as accompanying audio. Until 30 December
Islands & Myths, Belfast Exposed
The oeuvres of Sanne De Wilde, Nicholas Muellner and Jon Tonks each offer an insight into remote communities. Occupying the borderline between truth and fiction, each body of work blurs real-life accounts with constructed narratives, questioning representations of underrepresented communities whilst bringing untold stories to the fore. Until 18 August.
Credits:
1. Saul Leiter Man with Straw Hat ca. 1955 © Saul Leiter Courtesy: Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York
2. Untitled [Hairstyle], 1966-75 © J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere. Courtesy The Walther Collection and Galerie Magnin-A, Paris
3. Saul Leiter, Taxi, 1957. ©Saul Leiter Foundation, Courtesy Gallery FIFTY ONE
4. © Mark Steinmetz
5. image courtesy of doug aitken workshop
6. © Sanne De Wilde
