In line with Milan Fashion Week, the Armani Silos art museum is set to reopen with a brand new exhibition celebrating the French photographer Guy Bourdin. None other than Giorgio Armani will be the one doing the honours of inaugurating the exhibition space on February 24.
The late photographer was known for his provocative images that landed him a top spot in the fashion photography field, shooting ad campaigns for the likes of Chanel and Bloomingdale’s. Bourdin was one of the first fashion photographers to emphasise narrative storytelling, while the product was only considered as a second thought. His style is recognizable through the use of cropped images and intense colour saturation.
The exhibition titled “Guy Bourdin: Storyteller” will feature 100 of Bourdin’s pieces that have been selected by Giorgio Armani and the Guy Bourdin Estate. Both lesser-known as well as famous photographs have been selected to highlight Bourdin’s storytelling skills. A room will be dedicated to Bourdin’s use of oversaturated colours, including vibrant reds, pinks and greens.
The exhibition will also feature 21 black-and-white photos, further showcasing the photographer’s talent when it comes to showcasing expression, emotion and story even when limited by the lack of colours. Another room will explore Bourdin’s love of cinema – one of his biggest inspirations was Alfred Hitchcock – a key element that came into play in his photography as he always leaned into the “mysterious plot”.
Speaking of the new exhibition, the Italian designer states “A sense of provocation is immediately evident in his work but what strikes me the most – and what I wanted to focus on – is instead his creative freedom, his narrative skill and his great love of cinema”. Armani goes on to praise the artist by saying “Bourdin did not follow the crowd and he did not com- promise and I identify with that. I don’t believe that there is any other way to make a mark on the collective imagination”.
The exhibition will open its doors during Milan Fashion Week on February 24 and will be open to the public til August 31 at Armani/Silos, further cementing the gallery space as a centre for artistic and cultural expression.
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