A picture is worth 1000 thousand words, well that’s what I’ve heard someone say anyway. Leading on from this, contemporary artists must embrace this and be wise to the language used in photography in order for the work to be as effective as possible. The Image as question exhibition in the Michael Hoppen Gallery will be a chance to see if this really is the case, going back in time to the 19th and 20th century as well as showcasing some more contemporary pieces of art.
The beautiful aspect about photography is the idea of it being a powerful form of expression, pretty much used for everything. This can range from documenting key life events, to fashion and the solar system, and also remains as evidence for everyday occurrences.
Examples of art pieces include what seemingly looks like men wrestling, but wearing swimming hats which we can’t help but wonder why this may be.
A puzzling display is also presented in the form of a naked mannequin with just heels on its feet positioned lying down with a massive onlooking crowd including a policeman with his hands on his hips – the crowd seems so in awe that they can’t even move.
Another image which is particularly alluring appears to have letters scattered on the floor with at least a knife and a gun and other items which are harder to make out. It is questionable as to what may have occurred in that person’s life and we as the spectators are almost invited to try and figure out the puzzle.
In this exhibition, which is running until 26 November 2016 in the Michael Hoppen Gallery, there is a converging commonality about the images. From first glance, they all appear seemingly diverse, especially as their ‘role’ was to fulfil a purpose and to document key events but the realms of time now enables them to be viewed in a different context, and looked with fresh, perhaps naive eyes instead of answering questions of purpose. It is up to the individuals own interpretation.
With this in mind, it is of interest to note that many pieces of art exhibited in the gallery were solely created for a purpose, although this purpose has now passed. See these images here and plenty more at:
Michael Hoppen Gallery,3 Jubilee Place, London, SW3 3TD
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 6pm
Saturday, 10:30am – 5pm
