With his trademark vibrant color palette, original and ironic point of
view, and boundless energy, Martin Parr has come to be seen as one of
the freshest and most original voices in photography. Working at a
pace, practically unmatched in today's art world, over the last decade
Parr has produced over 40 books, curated numerous exhibitions, and
exhibited his own work in over a dozen countries.
In recent years, fashion photography has become an increasingly
important context for Parr to explore his particularly witty brand of
social commentary. Thus in 2005, he created the aptly titled Fashion
Magazine, a one-off magazine with advertisements, short essays,
interviews, and discerning, often humorous photographs – all done by
Parr.
The magazine itself (produced in conjunction with Magnum Photos of
which Parr is a member) was released in the fall of 2005 and quickly
became a collectors' item selling out its 10,000 print run almost
immediately. (The original $15 magazine now sells for upward of $150.)
From candid portraits taken in the streets of Dakar and Essex to highly
stylized advertisements (for the likes of Dior, Kenzo, Hermes, Paul
Smith and Valentino) the images in Fashion Magazine illuminate how
fashion today has permeated culture and transcended geographic
boundaries. In switching his focus between the refined creations of
haute couture and the real world clothing of the streets, Parr reminds
us that no-one is immune from the influence of fashion, and even the
most fashionable are not immune from being satirized.
The exhibition Fashion Magazine pulls together over 80 images from the
magazine and exhibits them pinned to the wall in a manner designed to
echo the high-spirited nature of the venture.
The exhibition "Fashion Magazine" is produced in association with the Janet Borden Gallery, New York.
For more information please call 212 629 6778 or e-mail
