M+M COLLECTION PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Es Baluard Museu d’Art Modern i Contemporani de Palma presents the “M+M COLLECTION. Passion for Photography” exhibition, which offers a view of photography from the end of the 19th century to the present day. It consists of a selection of 190 works from the private collection of Michel and Michèle Auer, considered to be the most important photographic collection in Switzerland and one of the most outstanding in Europe.
Since its beginnings 40 years ago, the Auers’ collection has now grown to more than 150,000 photographs, ranging from the first daguerreotypes to the great names of 20th century photography and young artists of today. The collection reflects the evolution of photographic creation, in all its thematic and stylistic diversity, from the particular stance of both collectors.
The first part of the exhibition centres on works by avant-garde photographers linked to tendencies such as Futurism, Surrealism and the Dada movement. Images signed by Eugène Atget, Brassaï, Man Ray, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Lewis W. Hine, André Kerstész, Raoul Hausmann, Rodchenko and Oskar Schelemmer, amongst others. All of them essential figures, either because they knew how to accurately portray the customs of society they lived in or because they were pioneers in the utilization of new techniques.
The second part of the exhibition shows works by contemporary photographers, some of whom have long careers although there are still relatively unknown in the world of art, and others who are just starting to develop their careers now. Most of the selected works refer to the theme of the body, interpreted from different perspectives, such as the objective portrait and the fragmented or descontextualized figure, until reaching more introspective explorations.
In this, the most contemporary field of the exhibition, an attempt is made to show Michèle and Michel Auer’s interest in diffusing the work of less well-known photographers, and those they have supported since they started out. The selection we present enables one to contemplate the works of emerging creators alongside those of contemporary photographers with a consolidated career, as in the cases of Rafael Navarro and Bernard Plossu.
Location – Hall: Floor -1
Production: Es Baluard Museu d’Art Modern i Contemporani de Palma, Fundació Foto Colectania de Barcelona and the sponsorship of Caja Mediterráneo (CAM – Obres Socials)
Selection: Lola Garrido