Prague
Open now

Only The Good Ones: The Snapshot Aesthetic Revisited – A Photography Exhibition at Rudolfinum Gallery

Delve into the profound influence of amateur photography and spontaneous moments on art.

This exhibition, 'Only The Good Ones: The Snapshot Aesthetic Revisited', explored the unique significance of candid photography. It traced how personal, unposed snapshots inspired various photographic disciplines, particularly within American art, revealing a raw intimacy and poetic depiction of daily existence. The showcase presented over 200 works from renowned artists.

About Only The Good Ones: The Snapshot Aesthetic Revisited at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Only The Good Ones: The Snapshot Aesthetic Revisited at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Exhibition summary

This exhibition explores the 'snapshot' aesthetic, examining how amateur photography and spontaneous, unposed moments have inspired various photographic fields, particularly within American art photography. It highlights the raw intimacy and poetic depiction of everyday life found in snapshots.

Curatorial context

The exhibition 'Only The Good Ones: The Snapshot Aesthetic Revisited' delves into the significance of the snapshot—an amateur photograph intended for personal use—as a source of inspiration across photographic disciplines, with a particular focus on American art photography. The snapshot, characterized by its spontaneous capture of everyday moments, minimal direction, and disregard for conventional artistic or journalistic norms, has been a prolific form of photographic production throughout the 20th century and continues to evolve with the rise of social media. The exhibition traces the history of this aesthetic, presenting it as a narrative of provocative diary-like intimacy, the poetry of the mundane, and a vibrant undercurrent of street photography that periodically revitalizes stagnant artistic and commercial practices through the uninhibited power of an impulsive gesture. It encompasses themes of absurdity, sex, parties, adolescent mishaps, naivety, late-night swimming, the intense present, and life mediated through images, positioning the snapshot as the 'rock'n'roll of photography.' The exhibition features over 200 works by a diverse range of artists including Nobuyoshi Araki, Tim Barber, Richard Billingham, Mike Brodie, Larry Clark, Barbara Crane, Bill Dane, Corinne Day, William Eggleston, JH Engström, Walker Evans, Lee Friedlander, Luigi Ghirri, Nan Goldin, Jacob Holdt, Jerry Hsu, William Christenberry, William Klein, Jacques-Henri Lartigue, Ari Marcopoulos, Ryan McGinley, Joel Meyerowitz, Slava Mogutin, Daido Moriyama, Mark Morrisroe, Ed Panar, Tod Papageorge, Walter Pfeiffer, Jack Pierson, Stephen Shore, Dash Snow, Joel Sternfeld, Gus Van Sant, Jürgen Teller, Andy Warhol, Henry Wessel, and Garry Winogrand. The exhibition was curated by Michal Nanoru, who also authored the illustrated catalog published by Galerie Rudolfinum.

Admission and ticket notes

The page mentions that admission is voluntary. Visitors can return to view parts of the exhibition at another time if they did not have enough time during their initial visit. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. The address is provided as Alšovo nábřeží 12, 110 00 Praha 1.

Only The Good Ones: The Snapshot Aesthetic Revisited key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Only The Good Ones: The Snapshot Aesthetic Revisited at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Venue
Galerie Rudolfinum
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
From Jan 24, 2014
Artist line / attribution
The exhibition features over 200 works by artists such as Nobuyoshi Araki, Tim Barber, Richard Billingham, Mike Brodie, Larry Clark, Barbara Crane, Bill Dane, Corinne Day, William Eggleston, JH Engström, Walker Evans, Lee Friedlander, Luigi Ghirri, Nan Goldin, Jacob Holdt, Jerry Hsu, William Christenberry, William Klein, Jacques-Henri Lartigue, Ari Marcopoulos, Ryan McGinley, Joel Meyerowitz, Slava Mogutin, Daido Moriyama, Mark Morrisroe, Ed Panar, Tod Papageorge, Walter Pfeiffer, Jack Pierson, Stephen Shore, Dash Snow, Joel Sternfeld, Gus Van Sant, Jürgen Teller, Andy Warhol, Henry Wessel, and Garry Winogrand. It was curated by Michal Nanoru.
More from Galerie Rudolfinum
Explore additional exhibitions from the same institution
Review other exhibitions from Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague to compare themes, timelines, and program direction while planning your museum visit.
The Last Painting Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum Prague
From Dec 18, 1997

The Last Painting Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum Prague

Exploring the 1997 revival of traditional Czech painting.

Delve into a key historical exhibition from Prague’s contemporary art archive. Learn how emerging Czech artists challenged the boundaries of the traditional medium through conceptual painting.

Exhibition Overview
Faces and Bodies of the Middle Kingdom Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum
From Mar 13, 1997

Faces and Bodies of the Middle Kingdom Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum

A landmark showcase of 1990s Chinese avant-garde art.

Explore a collection of eighty-seven works focusing on portraiture and figurative representation. Created by nineteen prominent artists, this display highlights the creative forces of the 1990s avant-garde movement.

View Exhibition Details
Watercolor illustration of the Decadence International Art Exhibition, featuring purple-hued gallery space with silhouetted visitors viewing provocative artworks on the walls.

Decadence Now! Visions of Excess: Contemporary Art Exhibition at Rudolfinum Gallery

Explore boundary-pushing art addressing excess, alienation, and taboo themes.

Explore 'Decadence Now! Visions of Excess,' an international exhibition examining decadence in contemporary art. Discover works by artists like Jeff Koons and Cindy Sherman, pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms through provocative themes. This project fosters crucial discussions on significant cultural topics.

View Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of an art gallery exhibition featuring Martin Mainer's recent works on nature and the forest, with visitors viewing paintings in a purple-hued space.
From Oct 8, 1999

Martin Mainer: Trailer of the Forest of Forests Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum

A survey of contemporary Czech painting from a significant artist.

Delve into the artistry of Martin Mainer through his 'Trailer of the Forest of Forests' exhibition. This collection at Galerie Rudolfinum highlights works from 1998–1999 by the acclaimed Czech painter.

Mainer Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a contemporary Chinese photography exhibition titled 'A Strange Heaven' with visitors viewing artworks in a gallery space with purple lighting and banners.
From Sep 4, 2003

A Strange Heaven: Discover Contemporary Chinese Photography and Visual Arts

Features over 200 photographic works by 40+ artists from the 1990s.

This exhibition explored contemporary Chinese photography, showcasing its emergence as a distinct art discipline. It provided a broad perspective on the nation's artistic potential through numerous works.

A Strange Heaven Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a gallery space with visitors viewing vibrant abstract paintings in purple, blue, and orange tones on white walls.
From Oct 5, 2006

ACNE: Discover Czech Painting from the Richard Adam Collection at Rudolfinum Gallery

A comprehensive survey of post-1980s contemporary art and diverse artistic styles.

This exhibition surveys influential Czech painting from the mid-1980s onward, drawn from a major private collection. It features works by various artistic generations and movements, including abstract and realist styles. Delve into key developments in contemporary art.

ACNE Exhibition
Prague

Find Current Exhibitions in Prague: Your Guide to Museum Shows

Explore Prague's vibrant art and history through diverse museum exhibitions.

Easily discover what's on display in Prague's museums and cultural institutions. Explore compelling temporary exhibitions covering a wide array of fascinating topics, from historical periods to modern artistic movements.