Around 95 million images are shared each day on Instagram alone. This global phenomenon of image circulation possesses an extraordinary transformative potential, and, this weekend, galleries worldwide exemplify the power of photography to spark social, environmental and cultural change.
William Eggleston: Los Alamos, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
This portfolio tracks Eggleston’s (b. 1939) extensive road trips through the southern states of America. Taken from 1966-1974, the pioneering works capture the unique aesthetic of the era whilst playing an integral part in the development of modern colour practice. The selection includes many iconic images, including the artist’s first colour piece. Until 28 May. Find out more here.
Poetry of Place: Paul Hart’s Landscapes, The Photographer’s Gallery, London
Despite being devoid of human presence, Hart’s (b. 1961) monochromatic, analogue compositions offer dialogues between societies and their surroundings. The works, which document the English countryside, are at once humanistic and socio-historical, inviting viewers to reflect on notions of intervention and conservation. Until 17 February. Find out more here.
Louise Dahl-Wolfe: A Style of Her Own, NRW-Forum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf
Opening as part of, Duesseldorf Photo, a new festival staging numerous exhibitions throughout the city, this show surveys the prolific oeuvre of an innovative fashion photographer. Working in the mid-20th century, Dahl-Wolfe’s (b. 1895) contributions helped shape visual culture, transforming a previously male-dominated creative landscape. Until 20 May. Duesseldorf Photo runs until 25 February. Find out more here.
LaToya Ruby Frazier, Gavin Brown’s Enterprise, New York
“Through photographs, videos and text I use my artwork as a platform to advocate for others, the oppressed, the disenfranchised.” Frazier’s (b. 1982) oeuvre provides a critical response to the American experience, supporting social justice and cultural change. The collection on display foregrounds three series: Flint is Family, The Notion of Family, and A Pilgrimage to Noah Purifoy’s Desert Art Museum, each examining powerful themes including the legacies of racism, inequality and economic problems. Until 25 February. Find out more here.
Visions of Nature, Kunst Haus Wien, Vienna
Featuring works by practitioners such as Andreas Gursky, Roni Horn and Axel Hütte, this show examines mankind’s tumultuous relationship with the environment. The selection – situated against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world – bridges the boundary separating nature and culture, examining the interplay between the landscape as a place of desire and as a resource. Until 18 February. Find out more here.
Credits:
1. William Eggleston, En Route to New Orleans, 1971–1974, from the series Los Alamos, 1965–1974 © Eggleston Artistic Trust 2004 / Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London
2. Leverton Lucasgate. From the series “Drained” © Paul Hart
3. Red Parasol © Louise Dahl-Wolfe, VOGUE Archive Collection
4. LaToya Ruby Frazier, The Bottom (Talbot Towers, Allegheny County Housing Projects), 2009 © LaToya Ruby Frazier
5. Myoung Ho Lee , Tree…#2, from the series Tree Abroad, 2011 © Myoung Ho Lee, Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York
