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"In My Stairwell" by Mark Seliger
April 11, 2006 through May 13, 2006
For exhibitions or print sales please contact Loni Efron:
exhibitions@ilon.com or call 212-665-1503.
In My Stairwell features a selection of portraits from Seliger's recent publication, In My Stairwell (Rizzoli, 2005), a series that is comprised of eighty three photographs of some of the world's most captivating and iconic figures.
Starting with a photo of David Bowie in the stairwell of Seliger's turn of the century, West Village studio, these photos began as an ancillary project. As the cast of characters grew, the Brooklyn Academy of Music became Seliger's partner and the book became, among other things, a vehicle to raise funds and awareness about BAM. The photos from the book first made their debut at a fundraiser for BAM sponsored by Armani.
In My Stairwell presents riveting and compelling subjects featuring everyone from Matthew Barney to Woody Allen to Azar Nafisi to Julia Roberts . The collection of black-and-white platinum portraits possess an atmospheric and ethereal quality that is reminiscent of early twentieth century photography, particularly in their highly detailed and richly dense textures. Shot in Seliger's skylighted, brick stairwell, the backdrop for each photograph remains the same throughout--a stark and austere space--which gives way to enormously eclectic portraits of some of today's most influential and recognizable faces.
Each depicted artist, actor, musician, dancer, and writer brings forth a different personality as Seliger effectively captures their individual creativity and spirit. The expressive and intimate portraits reflect theatrical, whimsical, and at times melancholic mannerisms and facial expressions, resisting the traditionally staid editorial aesthetic.
Seliger's incisive portraits present familiar visages with uncompromising directness. Although each subject is expressively posed and accoutered, there remains a certain candidness and sensitivity in their individual gestures. Close-up, tightly-framed head-shots and wider full-frontal views do much more than preserve a fleeting moment of celebrity, rather the photographs work together to create highly evocative images with great depth and longevity.
All images are Copyrighted by Mark Seliger.
