The large photographic image of our time
With the publication of the first three books in late October and two exhibitions in Germany this November, we are delighted to announce this long-term photographic project, the completion of which will span an entire decade.
The photographer Hans-Jürgen Raabe, focus’ on the human face, searching archetypal places and recording time in a way as to bring to our attention that special and often overlooked air of normality. The project will be built in a series of 30 photographs, mission is to pick up where our attention often falters and fails us. Where we become blind to the realities of other people as we move through life with our eyes firmly shut. Training his lens on people, without pretense and with the simple intent to reveal and capture what is, his photographs are masterful still lifes – to borrow from the expression used by the German media scientist Norbert Bolz. Their power not only lies in their ability to penetrate our rampant apathy, but also in the fact that their simplistic beauty effectively cuts through our perceived need for visual business and action.
When choosing the stages for his photographic studies, Raabe purposely selects places that are both formal and special in character. Whether Myanmar, Lourdes or the October festival, Marrakech or Fifth Avenue – vanishing points of Raabes work are formed by carefully chosen places that represent exceptions to the norm, that have about them that special air of normality . The Project is a photographic record of thirty-three visits to these places that aims to capture magic without making these places themselves an object of contemplation – but simply designating them as the ‘stage` on which human live is played out, in all its mundaneness, uniqueness, normality and individuality.
Thirty-three places. Thirty photographs of people per place. Making a total of “990 Faces” – or ‚the Project – and the adventure of what it means to be human.
In focus gallery starts this project by exhibiting the series “Lourdes”.
Exhibition
990 faces – Hans-Jürgen Raabe
November 13 up to December 1st, 2012
December 2 up to December 20 by appointment only.
Burkhard Arnold
in focus Galerie
Brüsselerstr. 83
50672 Köln
Germany
Opening hours:
Tuesday till Saturday 4 – 8 pm
Book
990 faces – Hans-Jürgen Raabe
with a introduction from Hans-Michael Koetzle (in 8 languages)
Published by Meralon Internation Ltd., Ilford, Essex, England
40,5 x 33,5 cm,
89€
