At IPFO House of Photography, the American film director and artist David Lynch is presenting a selection of his photographic works in Switzerland for the first time. The exhibition «Infinite Deep» will showcase the full range of Lynch’s photographs that were created over two decades and which reflect the artist’s unmistakable style. The iconic pictures will be exhibited at the newly opened House of Photography in Olten, which is celebrating a premiere, just like the exhibition itself, after some extensive refurbishing.
With series like «Twin Peaks» and the film «Blue Velvet», David Lynch has long achieved cult status. Now, for the first time ever, a photography exhibition by the American artist and Oscar winner in 2019 is making its way to Switzerland. At the IPFO House of Photography in Olten, a total of 120 works by David Lynch will be shown on altogether three floors, among them the iconic “Snowmen”, of which Lynch says: «The snowmen looked like aliens to me.» They uniquely reflect Lynch’s work.
For photographer and IPFO co-founder Marco Grob, the 75-year-old is one of the great masters in recent decades: «Like hardly any other artist, David Lynch is able to put across his very own style in all of his works. Whatever he touches then carries his signature. It becomes Lynchesque. Whether photography, music, painting, or of course film. From an artistically bent wire to Mulholland Drive. It becomes unique, unmistakable.»
The exhibition is curated by Nathalie Herschdorfer, an art historian who specialises in the history of photography. She is Director of the Museum of Fine Arts Le Locle, where she has organized many important photography shows. She is the author of several photography books and operates internationally as a curator.
David Lynch – «Infinite Deep» by Nathalie Herschdorfer
The world-famous director of films such as «Eraserhead», «The Elephant Man», «Blue Velvet» or «Mulholland Drive», David Lynch (born 1946, USA) is one of the big names in American cinema and is known for his surreal vision. Lynch is a prolific artist, but only few people are aware of his enormous artistic output. Before he became a filmmaker, Lynch studied painting. Today, in addition to making films, he devotes much of his time to drawing, art printing, sculpting, music, and photography. The American is a multifaceted artist who moves freely from one medium to another.
For the first time, an exhibition in Switzerland shows the spectrum of Lynch’s photography. The same rules apply in cinema and in photography: the art of detailing, of composition and lighting. In his photography, the filmmaker has a preference for two topics in particular: factories and female nudes. As different as these subjects may seem, one shared element is poignant: the lighting, especially the use of shadows. The photographs, taken over two decades, reflect the distinctive vision of this influential artist. His images have a magical quality and hold a strong surreal element. The viewer is struck by dreamlike sequences that evoke the enigmatic quality of Lynch’s films. He works mainly in black and white and has developed a photographic style that reveals both a dark and timeless atmosphere. Whether nudes or factories, Lynch’s photographs are definitely powerful and come across as perfect companion pieces to his films. His photographic work is an insightful addition to Lynch’s unique and fascinating oeuvre.
The «Infinite Deep» exhibition was initiated in collaboration with the curator Christian Nørgaard.
David Lynch – «Infinite Deep»
From 26 March 2021
IPFO House of Photography
Kirchgasse 10
CH-4600 Olten, Switzerland
