Camera Work gallery presents the exhibition “Circesque” by Christian Tagliavini . The exhibition – on view for the very first time worldwide – features more than 20 new portraits by Christian Tagliavini. “Circesque” is Tagliavini’s most complex, elaborate, and haunting series so far. In the exhibition, numerous original objects and dresses will be presented as well, making it a unique visual experience.
For his new series “Circesque”, Christian Tagliavini was inspired by the famous American Circus Sideshows from the 1920s. Being part of the American culture, in Sideshows special human beings – often called “Human Freaks” – presented their extraordinary talents and their incomparable personalities. For his personal narration “Circesque”, Tagliavini “invented” and created fictional personalities becoming the protagonists of his interpretation of his own sensational Sideshow. More than 20 portraits show staggering figures that are beyond imagination but part of Tagliavini’s intellectual world and fantasy. Each person in his visual cabinet – acrobats, tamers and burlesque dancers – are being presented in a staged scene and in classic portraits. Based on his self-conception of a “photographic craftsman”, all contents of the images are handmade such as the backgrounds, floors, objects, applications, hats, and even the elaborate dresses. In the end, all elements conflate into a fascinating photographic work exuding harmony, dignity, and power.
In comparison to his series “1503” and “1406” – with their visual composition inspired by the Renaissance – “Circesque” is more complex: Tagliavini combines different stylistic characteristics from different art trends and periods of art such as Jugendstil and Art Deco and intensifies the conceptional and visual experience with his artistic style.
Christian Tagliavini
Christian Tagliavini (*1971 in Switzerland) studied graphic design and worked as an architect and graphic artist before focussing on photographic art in 2000. His artistic development shaped his complex relationship with the art form. His works are not simply “pictures” but designed narratives for which Christian Tagliavini designs all visible components himself: ranging from the interior of the set to the clothing of the protagonists. He regards himself as a “photographic craftsman” with these unique compositions. His highly praised series “1503” (2010), “Carte”(2012), “Voyages Extraordinaires” (2015), and “1406” (2017) have been part of numerous international exhibitions and art fairs.
Christian Tagliavini works and lives in Switzerland and is exclusively represented by Camera Work gallery.
Christian Tagliavini : Circesque
From December 5, 2020 through February 20, 2021
Camera Work
Kantstrasse 149
10623 Berlin
