A camera captures the moments, feelings and movements that emanate from human bodies. The fascinating diversity of these bodies is showcased in the “Body Performance” group exhibition currently running at the Helmut Newton Foundation. The show updates Newton’s legendary “Naked and Dressed” motifs, which famously bridged fashion and nude photography. The displayed works include his lesser-known 1980s series taken at the Ballet de Monte Carlo, capturing dancers off duty. In Vanessa Beecroft’s “VB55” by contrast, movement is very much the exception: this filmed performance captures 100 women posing as static mannequins, covered only by transparent underwear. The duo Inez & Vinoodh meanwhile deprive their subjects of their entire humanity, their photos distorting adult models by giving them children’s faces. These photographers and others – Viviane Sassen, Robert Longo, Cindy Sherman, Erwin Wurm and Robert Mapplethorpe – present the diversity and power of being human, leaving the observer with a feeling of humility and hope. (Text: Verena Schwarz / Photos: Viviane Sassen Courtesy Stevenson Gallery, Bernd Uhlig & Erwin Wurm Courtesy König Galerie)
Helmut Newton Foundation at the Museum of Photography
Jebensstr.2, 10623 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map
Body Performance
Until 10.05.2020, Fri–Wed 11–19h, Thu 11–20h, closed Mon
@helmutnewtonfoundation
