Robert Mann Gallery presents until May 7th An Independent Vision, a photographic exhibition by Elisabeth Hase. Largely unknown outside of Germany, Hase was photographing during the time of the transition from the Weimar Republic to the Third Reich and through post-WWII Germany. Hase’s photographs are in alignment with the works of a number of avant-garde photographers of the early twentieth century, and yet they demonstrate a unique and independent vision.
Photographing during a tumultuous time, Elisabeth Hase was able to avoid the politicization of her work by establishing her own studio in 1933. This proved to be hugely successful in terms of her own artistic development as she was free to pursue personal exploration. Her self-portraits were created with a large degree of role-playing. In many instances she assumes a persona, and acts out a scene in front of the camera. In one photograph she is sprawled over a staircase as if fallen, with shoes and purse strewn likewise over the stairs. These works capture critiques on gender roles, as well as exploration of personal identity and perceived reality. Hase’s focus on self-dramatization pre-anticipates the conceptual portraiture of Cindy Sherman. In another image, Zwei Gefangene (Two Prisoners), the social criticism is grossly apparent. Hase explored other genres in photography such as still lives, street scenes, reportage, to name a few and in each body of work she displayed equal talent.
This is the first exhibition of Elisabeth Hase’s photographs outside of Germany.
EXHIBITION
Elisabeth Hase, An Independent Vision
From March 31st to May 7th, 2016
Robert Mann Gallery
525 West 26th Street
2nd Floor
New York NY 10001
United States
Tuesday-Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 11am-6pm
http://www.robertmann.com
