Press-releases
15.06.2007
For the first time in Europe, the PinchukArtCentre presents photographs from Elton John’s Collection
"An Instinctive Eye: A Selection of Contemporary Photographs from Sir Elton John's Collection" exhibition was opened in the PinchukArtCentre, the Contemporary Art Centre. From the moment of its foundation in 1991, Elton John's collection of photographs was exhibited only once, in the High Museum of Art (Atlanta, Georgia, USA). Most of the works, shown in PinchukArtCentre, are being exhibited for the first time, since they present the last acquisitions to the Collection.
"For years and years many people addressed Elton John, asking to organize the exhibition of the works from his collection", admits Jane Jackson, the Collection Director. "Although, his reply has always been negative for these photographs are not just a simple collection, but something very personal. And only due to his personal friendship relations with Victor Pinchuk and owing to the importance of the work done by the PinchukArtCentre for contemporary art promotion in Ukraine, Elton John agreed to have the works exhibited in Kyiv".
Exposition in the PinchukArtCentre consists of 148 pieces of art by 24 contemporary photographers, selected by Elton John and his partner, David Furnish. Most of the works (about 100) were brought to Kyiv from Elton John's apartment in Atlanta; the rest was taken from his London residence.
The list of artists, whose works are being presented in the PinchukArtCentre, includes David LaChapelle, Nan Goldin, Zhang Huan, Sam Taylor Wood, Rineka Dijkstra, Loretta Lux, Ruud Van Empel, Hiroshi Sugimoto and others.
"We were inspired by the enthusiasm of Victor Pinchuk and his Foundation, dedicating time and material resources for making the PinchukArtCentre the leading contemporary art institution in Eastern Europe", mentions Elton John in his addressing to exhibition visitors.
Describing the exhibited works, Elton John emphasized that "An Instinctive Eye" "includes the works of artists, who express their views on different topics, such as identity, estrangement, pop culture, cultural barriers, our influence on the environment, and time flow".
The exhibition is open for visitors from June, 16 to August, 12, 2007.
As it was informed, PinchukArtCentre is one of the biggest contemporary art centres in Eastern Europe. Since opening (September, 2006), nearly 100 thousand persons became visitors of PinchukArtCentre. "An Instinctive Eye" is the fourth exhibition held in PinchukArtCentre.
This year PinchukArtCentre, with "A Poem About an Inland Sea" exposition, represents Ukraine on the 52th International Contemporary Art Exhibition, Venetian Biennale. Experts estimate the exposition at the Ukrainian pavilion as one of three Top Events on this Contemporary Art Forum.
