Installation view, "Autumn" by Doug Aitken


Installation view, by Peter Gehrke.

That fashion photography has crossed over into the art world has been a fact for some time. But upon examination this latest fusion is more wishful thinking than a reality. In the context of exhibitions, fashion photography appears even less frequently. Maybe it is because the pictures involve a price per size and 'exposure' according to a rate related to advertising and publicity purposes, where the fashion industry cannot afford a flop. Or quite simply, it depends that at first glance these pictures look like art, yet are only confusingly similar. One of the instigators and forerunners of this new 'phenomenon' is Wolfgang Tillmans, who we have shown earlier at the gallery as part of a group exhibition. We continue to investigate what happens in the gap between commissioned and artistic work. For the last exhibition of the spring season we have invited in Doug Aitken and Peter Gehrke. Kajsa Eriksson is also taking part.

Doug Aitken from Los Angeles, is also current just now as one of the participants at the Whitney Biannual We are showing his video 'Autumn'. "A boy rides a bike. A girl cruises through the suburban night in a car with a driver we never see, her head bobbing to music we can't hear. ......Autumn ends with a shot of the female model's eye, but in her glassy-eyed stare, we read only reflections. She, like Autumn as a whole, exists only as a mirror image of youth as created by pop culture. (Sidney Pokorny, Frieze Nov-Dec 94.)

Peter Gehrke, a photographer based in Stockholm, is one of the innovators in fashion photography. His pictures can be seen in magazines like Dazed and Confused, Elle andCafE9. Diesel are one of his clients and a completely hysterical family scene showing the latest in underwear is one of Gehrke's latest pictures.

Kajsa Eriksson, studied Design at the art school in Valand and will give a lecture about trends "STARWIN", Wednesday, 28 May 7 p.m.

"STARWIN"is also the name of a work showing at the same time at Valand's art school.

Welcome!

Karina Ericsson Wärn.