Feb 12, 2016 - of miniature dioramas with life-size models. the sets are photographed after being hand-built by the arti
Media Release February 12, 2016
Richard Tuschman Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz Exhibit dates: March 2–April 9, 2016 Opening reception: Thursday, March 3, 6:00–9:00pm Klompching Gallery is delighted to present the debut of Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz, a new series of photographs by Richard Tuschman. This will form the artist’s first solo exhibition at the Klompching Gallery, and will be launched with an Opening Reception on Thursday, March 3rd, 6:00–9:00pm, with the artist in attendance. Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz is a visual novella, which portrays a fictional Jewish family in 1930s Poland. Set in the once vibrant neighborhood of Kazimierz in Krakow, the location is a metaphor for loss and decay. In 1935, the Jewish historian Meir Balaban, described the neighborhood’s declining Jewish population as being “only the poor and the ultra-conservative”. Indeed, the darkness evident in the photographs, is underpinned by an awareness that the fates of the characters, are likely doomed by history, with the impending holocaust. While death, the fraying of family bonds, and feelings of grief haunt many of the photographs, this gloom is punctuated by moments of love, longing and tenderness. While Tuschman continues to pay tribute to those artists who have inspired him—Balthus, Brandt, de Chirico, Vermeer— the series also demonstrates a significant development in
Couple In The Street, 2014
Tuschman’s oeuvre. The artist’s Eastern European Jewish ancestors resided in the vicinity of Kazimierz until circa 1900, and this forms part of the basis for weaving together a fictional
months, with models photographed separately and composited
narrative with strands of cultural and family history.
into the scenes. The resulting photographs are visually stunning
Well known for his Hopper Meditations series, the artist’s process continues to be labor intensive and meticulous. The staged photographs result from a sophisticated marriage
constructions, richly imbued with nuances of Jewish customs and a sense of place. References to cinema and theatre resonate across the work.
of miniature dioramas with life-size models. The sets are
While the artworks are constructed in an exacting manner, they
photographed after being hand-built by the artist over several
are also deliberately made to fall away from reality—enhancing their theatricality—and to project a level of the surreal and a dreamlike quality. Each image can also be seen to perform
Klompching gallery 89 Water Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 tel +1 212 796 2070
as a film still, with each part adding to a larger narrative arc. Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz, as a chronologically sequenced story, leaves just enough gaps and open-endedness, to enable
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the viewer to impose a tale of their own, highlighting in many
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respects, the fluidity of dreams and of memory.
Richard Tuschman Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz
Working Morning, 2014
Richard Tuschman (b. 1956) began experimenting with digital
and established artists, whose work can be found in several
imaging in the early 1990s, developing a style that synthesized
notable public and private collections. Located in the Dumbo
his interests in photography, painting and assemblage.
neighborhood of Brooklyn, the gallery showcases photography
Tuschman holds a BFA from the University of Michigan in
that demonstrates creative integrity and intent, originality,
Ann Arbor, and has been exhibited widely, both in the US
narrative and aesthetic challenges, and the highest level of
and internationally. Accolades and awards include Prix de la
craftsmanship. A member of AIPAD since 2012, Klompching
Photographie Paris (Gold Medal, People’s Choice), Critical
Gallery exhibits each year at the New York Photography Show,
Mass Top 50, International Kontinent Awards (1st Place,
at the Park Avenue Armory. In addition to its exhibitions
Fine Art Projects) and Center Project Launch Juror’s Award
schedule, the gallery provides detailed, bespoke acquisition
(chosen by Roger Watson, Fox Talbot Museum) among others.
services to collectors of contemporary photographs.
His photographs have been published on numerous online magazines/journals including Slate, LensCulture, LensScratch and
Richard Tuschman will present a talk about Once Upon a Time
Huffington Post. Tuschman lives and works in New York City.
in Kazimierz, as part of the i3 Lecture Program at the School of Visual Arts, 136 West 21st Street, on March 29th, 7:00–9:00pm.
Klompching Gallery was established in 2007, and specializes in the sale and exhibition of contemporary fine art photography.
For further information and press images, please contact:
The gallery represents an international roster of mid-career
Darren Ching at +1 212 796 2070 or
[email protected] 