Peter Lindbergh and the supermodel era
September 12, 2016
A stunning new exhibition featuring the work of photographer Peter Lindbergh, "A Different Vision on Fashion Photography," offers visitors the chance to step into the world of one of the today's most influential photographers. Lindbergh, whose black-and-white images have changed the world of fashion photography since the 1980s, has overseen the exhibition at the Kunsthal Rotterdam, which opened Saturday.
Curated by Thierry-Maxime Loriot, a narrative of Lindbergh's work is created as visitors move through nine sections divided thematically - Supermodels, Couturiers, Zeitgeist, Dance, The Darkroom, The Unknown, Silver Screen, Icons and an exclusive Rotterdamgallery.
Featuring over 220 photographs alongside notes and storyboards, props and Polaroids all gathered from Lindbergh's studio, the exhibition offers insight into the artist's creative process and show the world through his eyes.
The supermodel era
Although the German-born Lindbergh began his career as a photographer in 1978, he became world-renowned for his portrayal of the female body and fashion spreads that positioned women as strong and self-willed after a series of images taken in downtown New York in 1989 debuted. They featured what would become the biggest names in the industry: Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Tatjana Patitz, Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlingto.
The pictures made the cover of British "Vogue" in January 1990 and the era of the supermodel was born.
Since then, Lindbergh has turned his 35 mm on everyone from Kate Moss to Julianne Moore. The results are extraordinary in their staging - Lindbergh takes great inspiration from film - and their realistic portrayals of people, blemishes and all.
The exhibition, which runs through February 12, 2017, will likewise screen "Models, The Film" (1991, 52 minutes) featuring interviews with Grace Coddington, Nicole Kidman, Mads Mikkelsen, Cindy Crawford and Nadja Auermann among others.
A monograph published by Taschen to accompany the show, "Peter Lindbergh: A Different Vision on Fashion Photography" features photographs not included in Rotterdam and is available in English, German and French.