“There is so much more to the things that we think we know from afar. The closer you get the more complex it is, not the simpler it is to understand.”–Susan Meiselas
Magnum Photos and the International Center of Photography here in New York are presenting the work of twelve Magnum photographers in a new exhibition, “Close Enough: New Perspectives from 12 Women Photographers of Magnum.”
Curated by the estimable Charlotte Cotton, the show presents us with recent and ongoing projects from three generations of Magnum photographers, each of whom chose to present work that, in their unique way, reflects their relationships and approaches to telling stories and working with subjects.
I spoke briefly with Bieke Depoorter who talked about the artist/subject “paradoxical tension” and her ongoing collaboration with Agata Kay. Depoorter’s project, Agata, is multilayered and imbued with emotion. She weaves various narratives together that subvert any “truth” we are hoping to find. Her exploration between two women–artist & subject–is fascinating to see.
With twelve photographers work on display, we are told each one’s work has been displayed in a kind of “open dialogue” with one another. I am not sure I agree: each woman’s project seemed intimate, personal and apart from the others. Seeing excellent work, however, displayed in a well planned and well curated exhibition make Close Enough worth getting to know and to understand. –Lane Nevares