Rachel Libeskind: Good Morning Beautiful! | signs and symbols
Rachel Libeskind, Maxie in the pool, 2024, Digital print on Color-Aid™ Paper, custom painted artist frame, 38.5 x 25.5 x 1.5 inches (98 x 65 x 3cm), Unique. © Rachel Libeskind; Courtesy of the artist and signs and symbols, New York.
Written by Aundréa Verdi
In her latest exhibition, titled "Good Morning, Beautiful!" Rachel Libeskind delves into the depths of absence, exploring the remnants of a vanished world—the German Democratic Republic—through the perspective of amateur photography. This collection uses archival photographs from Fotokino magazine, which once featured the works of East German photographers, to meditate on existence, absence, and forgotten histories. Libeskind's curation cleverly highlights the nuanced expressions captured in the Fotokino images, defying conventional stereotypes of the repressive GDR. On view until May 23rd at signs and symbols, this assembly is not just historical documentation but a complex narrative of human experience.
At the heart of Libeskind's inquiry lies contemplation of empty spaces—physical and existential. The central question becomes what remains after the GDR's dissolution? Her selection challenges viewers' assumptions of East Germany. Central to this exploration is the recurrent motif of the female nude—an unexpected revelation from a society often perceived as rigid and prudish. Instead of emphasizing the state's control, the photographs depict a multifaceted and surprisingly intimate society. The use of nudity emerges as a symbol of resistance against regimented norms, offering a glimpse into a world obscured by historical amnesia.
Rachel Libeskind, Gabi in her room, 2024, Digital print on Color-Aid™ Paper, custom painted artist frame, 18.5 x 12.5 x 1.5 inches (47 x 32 x 3cm), Unique. © Rachel Libeskind; Courtesy of the artist and signs and symbols, New York.
Amateur photography, often raw and unpolished, preserves authenticity. Initially intended for a niche publication, these photographs now serve as valuable artifacts, speaking to a broader audience and allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of a community often reduced to clichés.
The amateur photographs in question are composed in a way that creates a captivating sense of depth and intrigue. Despite technical limitations, the photographs transcend them through skillful framing and use of light and shadow. As a result, the compositions have a timeless quality that resonates with contemporary viewers. Each photograph becomes a window into a complex culture, inviting us, the viewers, to ponder and interpret the human stories behind each captured moment, emphasizing our integral role in the exhibition experience.
Rachel Libeskind, Ute’s breast, 2024, Digital print on Color-Aid™ Paper, custom painted artist frame, 38.5 x 25.5 x 1.5 inches (98 x 65 x 3cm), Unique. © Rachel Libeskind; Courtesy of the artist and signs and symbols, New York.
Libeskind's artistic intervention involves printing these images on vibrant, bright paper—a technique that juxtaposes and challenges the perceived stiffness often associated with East Germany. Through intentional use of color, she introduces dynamic contrast, animating historical imagery with new vitality. This subversion invites viewers to reconsider preconceptions about the cultural and social landscape of the German Democratic Republic. In this way, Libeskind's manipulation of color serves as a powerful artistic device—an act of creative defiance against historical stereotypes and shows the capacity of art to reimagine, reinterpret, and ultimately reshape our understanding of the past.
Overall, Rachel Libeskind's "Good Morning, Beautiful!" is a deeply moving exhibition that challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of East Germany. By focusing on intimate and overlooked aspects of the GDR, Libeskind invites reflection on the enduring impact of historical imagery and its ability to evoke empathy and understanding across temporal and cultural divides. The exhibition is a testament to art's power as a conduit for memory, urging us to listen to the echoes of a vanished world that still speaks to us today, stirring our emotions and connecting us to the past in a profound way.
Rachel Libeskind, Steffi, a student, 2024, Digital print on Color-Aid™ Paper, custom painted artist frame, 18.5 x 12.5 x 1.5 inches (47 x 32 x 3cm), Unique. © Rachel Libeskind; Courtesy of the artist and signs and symbols, New York.
