Helmut Newton in Dialogue: Fashions and Fictions – A Photography Exhibition at Museum Kampa

This exhibition explores the work of iconic photographer Helmut Newton, placing his fashion and nude photography in dialogue with interwar photography and his contemporaries. It showcases Newton's progressive and controversial vision of women as powerful figures in modern civilization, alongside works by artists who inspired him and his peers.

The exhibition 'Helmut Newton in Dialogue. Fashions and Fictions.' at Museum Kampa presents a comprehensive look at the influential German-Australian photographer Helmut Newton. Prepared in cooperation with Kicken Berlin, the exhibition contextualizes Newton's work, born Helmut Neustaedter, within the history of photography, drawing parallels to interwar styles and comparing his output with that of his contemporaries. Newton, who emigrated from Nazi Germany to Australia and became a prominent portrait and fashion photographer, is celebrated for revolutionizing photographic genres of portraiture and nudes with his provocative and often erotic portrayals of women. His models are depicted as self-confident and active, navigating modern civilization through elegant settings and places of tension. The exhibition is structured into four sections, beginning with Newton's inspirations, including artists like Erwin Blumenfeld and František Drtikol, and moving through his most prolific creative period from 1950 to 2000. It also features works by his contemporaries such as Irving Penn and Richard Avedon. A special "Czech Traces" section highlights the contributions of Tono Stano and Gabina Fárová, who collaborated with Newton during his visit to Prague in 1988. The core of the exhibition is formed by Newton's works from the Kicken Berlin collection and private collectors, reflecting a long-standing collaboration between the photographer and the gallery since the 1980s. The exhibition aligns with Museum Kampa's focus on personalities crucial to lifestyle and fashion, particularly in relation to Meda Mládková's design projects.

The exhibition dates are from June 29 to October 28, 2019. Further ticketing information can be found on the Museum Kampa website or through links provided.