Photographs of Thomas Hoepker (*1936, Germany), Gordon Parks (1912-2006, United States), Steve Shapiro (*1934, American), Marvin Newman (*1927, United States), Flip Schulke (1930-2008, United States), Carl Fischer (*1924, United States) and Eric Bachmann (*1940, Switzerland).
Opening: Thursday, May 24, 6 to 9 pm / Thomas Hoepker and Eric Bachmann will be present.
Before his 1974 title match against George Foreman in Kinshasa, Muhammad Ali famously rhymed, «Float like a buttefly, sting like a bee. His hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see. Now you see me, now you don’t. George thinks he will, but I know he won’t.» Ali challenged and teased his opponent with these words, but he also backed them up with one of the greatest fights ever.
However, given the historic situation of African Americans in the United States, the excerpted line «Now you see me», which lends the exhibition its title, also marks Ali’s courageous fight against a discriminatory reality. For a people and their plight often rendered invisible, a Muhammad Ali in the spotlight echoed the Civil Rights call “I Am a Man!». His athletic ability, charisma and perseverance earned him fame, which he used to shine a light on social and political wrongs. He understood, in an attention economy, pointed cameras mean power. So, he performed also outside the boxing ring. He performed for the cameras. Now you see me!
This exhibition, curated by Daniel Blochwitz and Mirjam Cavegn, marks the second anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s death and—in a homage to him and his life—brings together works by a number of exceptional photographers: Thomas Hoepker, Gordon Parks, Steve Schapiro, Marvin Newman, Flip Schulke, Carl Fischer and Eric Bachmann. It’s a boxer’s life seen through multiple lenses. There are photographs that show a fighting, loving, agitating, laughing, praying, caring, posing and playing Muhammad Ali. Some of these images have become icons of pop culture while others depict Ali in a rather unexpected light.
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Information
Bildhalle
Stauffacherquai 56 8004 Zurich Switzerland
May 24, 2018 to July 07, 2018
