It was the most private opening in New York, “Richard Avedon” at the Gagosian Gallery. His grandsons William and Michael provided us with pictures and commentary.
Jean-Jacques Naudet
“Richard Avedon: Murals and Portraits” opened Friday May 4th at the Gagosian Gallery in New York. This exhibition, developed in collaboration with the Richard Avedon Foundation, features four of Avedon’s immense photographic murals depicting cultural and political icons of the ’60s and ’70s. These are complemented by a range of similarly themed portraits installed on a visionary spatial composition designed by architect David Adjaye.
“Murals and Portraits” is the first opportunity for a generation of young photographers, artists and art followers who were born after Avedon took the images to view these exceptionally rare prints from a pivotal moment in history.
The Opening Reception had the eclectic atmosphere of ‘A Happening,’ reminiscent of Avedon’s Retrospective at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in 1970 for which he and master curator and long-time collaborator Marvin Israel drove around the city the day before the show looking for unusual people to invite off the street.
Two of the original sitters, 87 year-old Taylor Meade and Jay Johnson, posed in front of the 30-foot long mural, Andy Warhol and members of The Factory, with interior designer Brock Forsblom, who was so inspired by the photograph that he posed nude in front of it.
Other guests at the reception included the family of Richard Avedon, Vogue Fashion Editor Tonne Goodman, Supermodel Karlie Kloss, Literary Agent Andrew Wylie, Art Historian Diana Picasso, Nicholas and Alexander Vreeland, New York Magazine Design Editor Wendy Goodman, and photographer Christopher Makos who apprenticed under Man Ray and taught Andy Warhol how to use a camera.
William Avedon
Exhibition:
Richard Avedon: Murals & Portraits
through July 6, 2012
Gagosian Gallery
West 21st Street
New York, NY
