Something That I'll Never Really See: Contemporary Photography from the V&A;
1st May 2007 - 24th Jun 2007
Shown together for the first time this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see a body of photographs from the V&A;�s contemporary photography holding, one of the finest and most inclusive collections in the world.
 Untitled from the fashion story Under Exposure, 1993Corrine Day |
 Untitled from the series Ray's a Laugh, 1994Richard Billingham |
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During the period from 1990 to the present there has been an unprecedented and international explosion of innovative production in contemporary photography. The medium has taken centre stage in the world of contemporary art where it often subtly but deliberately challenges the traditional genre distinctions of photography such as fine art, science, fashion, advertising and documentary.
The V&A, London, has focussed specifically on acquiring photography during this exciting period and their holdings reflect some of the best in international photography since the mid-90s. On display will be images by some of the most exciting international contemporary photographers, including well-known names such as Richard Billingham, Cindy Sherman, Nick Knight, Nan Goldin and Susan Derges, and emerging new talents such as Frances Kearney.
Despite their range of subject matter, the selection has in common their creative genre-blurring, typical of this period: fashion images draw on gritty documentary, abstract fine-art works use scientific imaging and apparently realistic photos are actually elaborately staged sets. The grand scale of many of the photographs will engross you in the image, whilst smaller scale works will draw attention to the traditions of photographic history and fine printing by hand.
Previous image: Neeta Madahar, Sustanance 114, 2003. Iris print on Somerset velvet paper. E.3597-2004. Copyright courtesy of the artist/Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Photograph of birds feeding in the foliage of a tree.
