Saturday saw the opening to “Helmut Newton: World Without Men/Archives de Nuit François-Marie Banier: Portraits” – the newest exhibition in Berlin’s Museum für Fotografie. For the first time Newton’s book “World Without Men” (published in 1984) is presented in an exhibition format. The book, Newton’s fourth, shows his collection of commissioned fashion photography for magazines and fashion houses. The typical luxurious, opulent and seductive photographs are set in the streets of Paris, the beaches of Saint Tropez, Los Angeles, Milan, Berlin and London between the 1960s and 80s. Every single photograph from the book is hung on the walls – a stark contrast to the previous rather scarce exhibition: “I knew I’d be asked why I chose to pick some photographs but not others. So, I picked them all. The walls are very crowded but, why not?” so June Newton, Helmut’s wife and President of the Helmut Newton Stiftung.
The exhibition of the book is accompanied by “Archives de Nuit”, an exhibition project and accompanying publication by Helmut Newton, which premiered in 1992 in Paris. The black and white photographs do not include a single fashion shot proving that his photographic themes and subjects extended beyond the fashion circuit: a disused soap factory, urinals, dirty hotel laundry, abandoned buildings, airplanes and cathedrals can be seen.
Furthermore June Newton invited the French photographer and author François-Marie Banier to exhibit more than 30 of his photographs in “June’s Room”. Here we get to enjoy the results of an extremely well-connected and talented portrait photographer: portraits include Johnny Depp, Andy Warhol, Queen Elizabeth II and Woody Allen. “It’s the smallest exhibition I have ever done but it’s wonderful. I like what June has done.” The extremely famous subjects come across at ease – “I’m not conventional, you can see celebrities as they naturally are.” Banier explains in a thick French accent.
“Helmut Newton: World Without Men/Archives de Nuit François-Marie Banier: Portraits”
Until 19th May 2013
Museum für Fotografie
Helmut Newton Foundation