Private Collections: Exhibitions from 21 September 2012 to 6 January 2013 Howard Greenberg, Collection Freaks, The Monstrous Parade Luciano Rigolini, Concept Car Press release Private Collections Press release 2/4 The Musée de l’Elysée presents different approaches to collecting photography by means of three original exhibitions. Howard Greenberg, Collection From 21 September 2012 to 6 January 2013 Howard Greenberg has been a gallery owner for thirty years now and is considered today one of the pillars of the New York photography scene. While his role as a dealer is well established, less is known about his passion for collecting. It has remained quite confidential and is now being exposed. This collection of over 500 photographs was patiently built over the last thirty years and stands out for the high quality of its prints. A set of some 120 works will be exhibited for the first time at the Musée de l’Elysée, displaying different aspects of Howard Greenberg’s interests, from the Modern aesthetics approach of the 20s and 30s with works by Edward Steichen, Edward Weston or the Czech School to Contemporary photographers such as Minor White, Harry Callahan and Robert Frank. Humanist photography is particularly well represented, including among others, Lewis Hine and David Seymour. An important section is dedicated to the Farm Security Administration’s photographers, who where witnesses to the Great Depression years of the 30s, such as Walker Evans or Dorothea Lange. Above all, the collection demonstrates the great influence of New York in the history of 20th century photography: architecture and urban life are conveyed in the images of Berenice Abbott, Weegee, Leon Levinstein, Lee Friedlander. Commending its work and significance, and wishing to make his private collection available to a wider audience, Howard Greenberg selected the Musée de l’Elysée to display his collection. The Musée de l’Elysée and the Fondation Henry Cartier-Bresson jointly produce this exhibition. Catalogue The catalogue, published by Steidl, (224 pp., 145 plates) includes a conversation between Howard Greenberg and Sam Stourdzé. This publication is made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of the Musée de l’Elysée. Curators Sam Stourdzé and Anne Lacoste, Musée de l’Elysée and Agnès Sire, Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson Press Conference Thursday 20 September 2012 at 10am Opening Thursday 20 September 2012 at 6pm Press Images All images featured in this Press Kit are available for use by the press. The use of these images is limited to the promotion of the exhibition presented at the Musée de l’Elysée. They must not be altered in any way and must mention the whole caption as well as the copyright. To download these images, please contact the press office: Agata Ubysz +41 (0)21 316 99 27 agata.ubysz@vd.ch Cover: Still Photography, Freaks, 1932. Collection Praloran, Zürich Dorothea Lange, Migratory Cotton Picker, Eloy, Arizona, 1940 © Library of Congress. Courtesy Collection Howard Greenberg Henri Cartier-Bresson, Seville, Spain, 1933 © Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos. Courtesy Fondation HCB and Collection Howard Greenberg Private Collections Press release Freaks, The Monstrous Parade From 21 September 2012 to 6 January 2013 American director Tod Browning (1880-1962) has a particular attraction for the uncanny. Freaks, his cult movie shot in 1932, is inspired by a short story written by Clarence Aaron « Tod » Robbins. Set in a circus, the performers are disabled actors. The movie caused tremendous scandals when it was released and Freaks was soon censored, reedited, shortened, sometimes removed from theaters, and even forbidden is some countries. Not until the 1960s, when it was presented at the Cannes Festival, was the movie acclaimed to the point of becoming a reference for artists such as Diane Arbus or David Lynch. The Musée de l’Elysée presents a selection of some 50 vintage black and white silver prints from Zurich-based Enrico Praloran’s collection. The catalogue, published by IDPure (approximately 96 pp., 50 plates, essay by Tom Cull), was made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of the Musée de l’Elysée. Curators Sam Stourdzé and Anne Lacoste, Musée de l’Elysée Luciano Rigolini, Concept Car From 21 September 2012 to 6 January 2013 Born in Ticino in 1950, the artist Luciano Rigolini’s interest for vernacular photography questions this particular mode of representation of the real. He carefully collects neutral images of objects or urban furniture, removed of any human presence or trace, such as the photographs made for sales or industrial documentation catalogues. With Concept Car, Luciano Rigolini deals with the theme of the car. Collected, found on Internet, presented as such, or thoroughly retouched and greatly enlarged, Luciano Rigolini’s photographs reveal an aesthetic approach filled with sculptural, pictorial, and metaphorical qualities, all the while suggesting a reflection about our ability to see and perceive. Concept Car will present four series, including Surrogates: 125 photographs of spare parts for vintage cars and industrial vehicles, collected on eBay. Surrogates will be simultaneously shown at the Centre Culturel Suisse in Paris and at the Musée de l’Elysée. The catalogue, co-published by the Musée de l’Elysée and the Centre Culturel Suisse, was made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of the Musée de l’Elysée. Curators Sam Stourdzé and Anne Lacoste, Musée de l’Elysée Still Photography, Freaks, 1932. Collection Praloran, Zürich Industrial Document, 1978. Courtesy Luciano Rigolini. Collection Musée de l’Elysée, Lausanne 3/4 Private Collections The Musée de l’Elysée History The Musée de l’Elysée is one the world’s leading museums entirely dedicated to photography. Since its establishment in 1985, it has improved public understanding of photography through innovative exhibitions, key publications and engaging events. Recognised as a centre of expertise in the field of conservation and enhancement of visual heritage, it holds a unique collection of more than 100,000 prints and preserves several photographic archives, in particular that of Charlie Chaplin. By supporting young photographers, offering new perspectives on the masters and confronting photography with other art forms, the Musée de l’Elysée experiments with the image. Based in Switzerland, it presents 4 major exhibitions in Lausanne each year and an average of 15 in prestigious museums and festivals around the world. Regional by character and international in scope, it seeks to constantly develop new and exciting ways to interact with audiences and collaborate with other institutions. Collection The Collection of the Musée de l’Elysée comprises approximately 44,000 original historical, modern and contemporary photographs. Over 60,000 original prints are additionally included in the iconographic Collection -an historical ensemble of photographs gathered since the middle of the 19th century and preserved at first by the Lausanne library before being hosted by the Musée de l’Elysée. Practical Information Adress of the Musée de l’Elysée 18, avenue de l’Elysée CH - 1014 Lausanne T + 41 21 316 99 11 F + 41 21 316 99 12 www.elysee.ch Opening hours Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - 6pm Closed Monday, except for bank holidays View of the Musée de l’Elysée @ Yves André View of the library of the Musée de l’Elysée Press release 4/4