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ERWIN BLUMENFELD

a hidden ritual of beauty

Mar. 5—May. 6, 2013

• Mar. 5—May. 6, 2013
• Closed Monday(if Monday is a national holiday or a substitute holiday, it is the next day)
• Admission：Adults ￥800／College Students ￥700／High School and Junior Hight School Students, Over 65 ￥600

The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, together with the Asahi Shimbun, are delighted to present the first ever solo exhibition in Japan of the work of Erwin Blumenfeld (1897-1969), who was renowned for his photographs that appeared in fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar etc.

Famous as one of the leading photographers of Western fashion and portraiture during its golden age, numerous solo exhibitions of Blumenfeld's work have been held around the world at such venues as the Centre National d'Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou (Paris, 1981), the Barbican Centre (London, 1996), the Berlinische Galerie (Berlin 2009), etc., but due to the fact that so many of his important works are scattered among the collections of various museums worldwide, or remained in the possession of his family, a comprehensive outline of his career has never been presented in Japan.

Produced with the full support of the Blumenfeld family, this exhibition will bring together vintage prints dating from the 1930s, 100 outstanding works selected by the photographer himself, and color reproductions of his beautiful fashion photographs; consisting of approximately 290 art works in total, it represents a valuable opportunity to view his body of work.　Ranging from Dadaism, to nudes, to fashion, Blumenfeld's work was to have a strong influence over numerous artists, but he suffered greatly during the two World Wars and was forced by the demands of the times to relocate his activities. If we consider his life,ideology and historical background, we are able to catch a glimpse of the spirit that lies at the base of his aesthetic expression. We hope that you will search for the hidden secret of the beauty that imbues his gorgeous work.
 

left)Variation for Vogue US, 1 November 1949
center)Variation for Vogue US, 15 March 1953
right)Variation for Vogue US cover, 1 May 1953
©The Estate of Erwin Blumenfeld

"Erwin Blumenfeld: a hidden ritual of beauty" is organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography in special collaboration with Nadia Blumenfeld-Charbit, The Blumenfeld Family and Jean-Louis & Mado Mellerio. The exhibition
is curated by Nadia Blumenfeld-Charbit and Harumi Niwa, curator of TMMOP.

■Organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography,Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture,The Asahi Shimbun
■Sponsored by Shiseido Co.,Ltd., Toppan Printing Inc.,
Corporate Membership of the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography
■With cooperation of Selection D.P.I.

Events

floor lectures (Japanese)

Mar. 8 (Fri) 14:00～
Mar. 22 (Fri) 14:00～
Apr. 12 (Fri) 14:00～
Apr. 26 (Fri) 14:00～