Exhibition Review: Actual Size! Photography at Life Scale: International center of photography
Manuel Franquelo, Things in a Room (25 yrs), 2013. 34 1/4 x 70 7/8 in. © Manuel Franquelo, Courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery
Written by Aaron Norton
Edited by Hillary Mitchell
We’ve all heard the expression “bigger is always better.” Sometimes this saying can be troublesome, like when you have to give an enormous and unwilling dog a wash in the bathtub, but what if that expression holds true for a photograph? As we’ve seen throughout the long and illustrious life of the medium, photography has the ability to appear larger than life – perhaps it’s due to the subject of the photograph – a celebrity, a national landmark, or the natural beauty of a wildlife shot. Oftentimes, these photographs live on a piece of photo paper no larger than 4x6 inches. Other times, photographs actually can be larger-than-life – or rather – life-sized.
Aspen Mays, Dodging Collection (Newspaper Rock), 2013. 60 7/8 x 42 1/4 in. © Aspen Mays, Courtesy the artist and Higher Pictures Generation
Last month, the International Center of Photography (ICP) unveiled its newest exhibition, Actual Size! Photography at Life Size. With an emphasis on life-scaled photography, this exhibition gives its audiences a new perspective on what a photograph can be, and more importantly, how the dimensions of a photograph can capture the imagination of a viewer.
This gargantuan exhibition is highlighting a variety of photographers, visual artists and creators from all over the world. Whether it’s a photograph, a poster or a billboard – every piece on display has been carefully selected to showcase a beautiful piece of work at life-size. With enormous works on display, the ICP is the perfect location to showcase these large scales due to its distinctive “double-height” gallery.
Kija Lucas, Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment, Vitrine No. 11, 2014-2021. 26 x 22 in. © Kija Lucas
The sheer scale of these works alone can certainly evoke a number of emotions as you tour through the exhibition. With the feeling that you’re a little kid again, each photograph on display comes to life in a very “big” way. Although the exhibition is vast, each of the pieces still have the ability to feel intimate to the viewer. Take for example Spanish artist and mixed media sculptor, Manuel Franquelo’s Things in a Room (25 Years)– it’s a beautifully crafted work that feels so disorganized yet so organized at the same time. What makes it even more amazing is the fact that his work is life-sized.
Schindly Photo, Hail Storm, 1910. 5 1/2 x 3 1/3 in.
It’s with these large and expressive pieces on display that the ICP takes their viewers into an immersive and exciting world of life-sized pieces of art. Whether you’re wanting to experience a larger-than-life experience first-hand, or you’re just wanting to take a look at an eclectic and fun exhibition – Actual Size! Photography at Life Scale might just prove that sometimes bigger is better, at least in photography.
Tanya Marcuse, Woven Nº 30, 2018. 62 x 160 in. © Tanya Marcuse
The International Center of Photography is the world’s leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Located at 79 Essex Street, New York, NY, The International Center of Photography currently has two exhibitions on display until May 2 – Actual Size! Photography at Life Scale and A Trillion Sunsets. For more information on exhibitions and events, please visit ICP’s website: www.icp.org
