Vija Celmins and Hollywood

ArtTalk, May 5, 2011, 6.30 pm

Stars of Fame

Museum Ludwig

The American artist Vija Celmins draws from black and white photographs to create images of nature both simple and complex. Her large scale pictures can overwhelm the viewer with beautiful views of starry skies, water, space and pattern. We’ll contrast her work with another “star” show upstairs in the photo niche. There, we can engage with the beauty of the stars – but not those found in the heavens, but those stars of Hollywood and of fashion. Cool, glamorous and tasteful, the photographers Richard Avedon and Irving Pennestablished aesthetic icons in black and white photography that are ever so cool – even today.