Marking the 50th anniversary of Edward Steichen’s death, this exciting project showcases the work of two eminent contemporary artists, Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf (*1959) and Belgian visual artist Hans Op de Beeck (*1969). Out of their appreciation for each other and their shared admiration for Steichen’s oeuvre, Olaf and Op de Beeck agreed to collaborate on a project for the first time ever.
Published to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Edward Steichen’s death, the book presents the work of two eminent contemporary artists, the Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf (b. 1959) and the Belgian visual artist Hans Op de Beeck (b. 1969).
Art historian Ruud Priem, department head and curator of fine arts at the Musée national d’histoire et d’art in Luxembourg, came up with the concept and selected the works of Olaf and Op de Beeck, thus initiating a unique collaboration. It centres on the artists’ shared admiration for the oeuvre of the Luxembourg photographer Edward Steichen (1879–1973), and their mutual respect. The book juxtaposes Olaf’s series Im Wald with watercolours and sculptures by Op de Beeck and landscape photographs by Steichen. Although very different, surprising connections emerge between the three artists in this richly varied presentation of images in black, white and shades of grey.
This publication accompanies the exhibition Erwin Olaf & Hans Op de Beeck: Inspired by Steichen at the Musée national d’histoire et d’art (MNHA) in Luxembourg from 16 December 2022 to 11 June 2023, curated by Ruud Priem. Alongside their joint exhibition, Olaf and Op de Beeck are the guest curators of a selection of photos by Steichen in the MNHA’s Steichen Cabinet.
The exhibition features Olaf’s series Im Wald, together with watercolours, sculptures and videos by Op de Beeck and landscape photographs by Steichen himself, creating surprising connections between the three artists. The show, thus, provides a new context for the oeuvre of the Luxembourg-born photographer and encourages viewers to (re)discover the artistic qualities of his prints through a contemporary lens. In addition to their joint show, Olaf and Op de Beeck will also present a curated selection of works by Steichen from the MNHA’s extensive collection in the museum’s Steichen room.
Erwin Olaf & Hans Op de Beeck : Inspired by Steichen
ACC Art Books
Hardcover
96 pages
29.5 x 29.5 cm
English edition
ISBN 978 94 6466 620 5
$65.00
https://www.accartbooks.com/us/book/erwin-olaf-hans-op-de-beeck-inspired-by-steichen/
Erwin Olaf & Hans Op de Beeck : Inspiré par Steichen
December 16, 2022 – June 11, 2023
Musée national d’histoire et d’art Luxembourg
Marché-aux-Poissons
2345, Luxembourg
https://www.mnha.lu/
