25 Sep 2011

Edward Mapplethorpe 'The Variations' at Dubner Moderne, Lausanne

Dubner Moderne is pleased to announce 'The Variations', an exhibition of works by Edward Mapplethorpe on view from October 5th to November 12th 2011. The vernissage will be held on Wednesday October 5th in the presence of the artist from 18h.

In this recent series Mapplethorpe continues his fascination with the intricacies of traditional black and white photographic processes by essentially removing the camera and the darkroom from the equation. Without the imposition of these components that previously defined the limitations of photographic art, Mapplethorpe has created unique gelatin silver prints that contain a surprising myriad of color tonalities. This unique chemical process, at once both immediate and highly technical, allows him to create a vocabulary of gestural impulses, lines and strokes that resonate with an energy and depth reminiscent of the action paintings of Jackson Pollock.

To achieve his dynamic compositions Mapplethorpe utilizes a chemical process that translates to 'color by light scattering' whereby colorless chemicals are applied onto traditional black and white photographic paper. Time and chance elements become important aspects of the process.

'The Variations' were inspired in part by Mapplethorpe's recent fascination with the classical pianist Glenn Gould and his iconoclastic re-interpretation of J. S. Bach's 'Goldberg Variations'. Subsequently, many of the compositions in 'The Variations' take their inspiration directly from Gould's deliberate arrangement of Bach's venerated masterpiece.

The works included in the exhibition will range from 20.3 x 25.4 cm to 61 x 50.8 cm in size.

Edward Mapplethorpe was born in Queens, NY and currently lives and works in New York. His works have been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions internationally.