Walead BESHTY, Folds, Curls, Loops

It remains a mystery to me: how come that artists from different countries, different experience, suddenly embrace the same direction ? These past years have for instance seen the rebirth of abstract photography (the initial “birth” going back to Man Ray or Moholy-Nagy photogramms). By abstract photography, I refer to images taken without camera, and more the result of dark room experiences.
More recently, one of the most decisive endeavours in that field came from LA based artist Walead Beshty. Some of his series apply to a larger scale the avant-garde techniques of “sans-camera” imagery. The process yields with sometimes very large pieces (more than 2 meters long), full with colours and linear composition. I couldn’t see the MOMA Young Photography show, to which Beshty participated, but took the opportunity to see gallery shows, at Thomas Dane and Thaddaeus Ropac. Internet pictures can only account for a small part of the visual impact of these abstract images. Most notably, the prints still keep trace of the artist’s folding process, so that there is a physical presence to it, a mix of good looks and imperfect texture. In brief words, Beshty photographs are overwhelmingly beautiful, and still, very modern.

N-B: Those in NY will be able to see some more works, in the upcoming “Haunted” photography exhibition at the Guggenheim museum.

Image courtesy Ropac Gallery and the artist