Guy Bourdin for Vogue Paris, May 1970. Photo: ©The Guy Bourdin Estate 2023. Courtesy of AP8
Partnering with fine art e-commerce platform ap8.art, THAT Concept Store—the homegrown destination for modern and contemporary luxury—has added to its expertly selected art collection by showcasing the exceptional artwork of Guy Bourdin, a historic first in the Middle East.
With the Guy Bourdin exhibition, THAT Concept Store and ap8.art offer customers, art collectors, and fashion enthusiasts a unique chance to acquire museum-quality artworks. The special Guy Bourdin exhibition features 17 large, hand-printed and framed photographs by the renowned French artist and fashion photographer.
Guy Bourdin, Iconic Campaign – Summer 1976. Photo: ©The Guy Bourdin Estate 2023. Courtesy of AP8
Guy Bourdin’s surrealist touch
Raised in Paris, Bourdin was inspired by the arts and began experimenting with painting and drawing. His photography journey started in the 1940s. He met surrealist photographer Man Ray in 1951 and became his protégé. His close relationship with Man Ray influenced Bourdin’s surrealist touch. Man Ray wrote the forward for Bourdin’s first solo exhibition. Throughout his career of over 40 years, Bourdin worked for top fashion brands and magazines, showcasing his unique style in his fashion editorial commissions. He is known for creating photographs that transcended fashion.
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Guy Bourdin’s Legacy
Guy Bourdin’s distinct style imprinted the fashion world since his beginnings. Moreover, his photographs are considered technically advanced for the pre-digital retouching era. His pioneering techniques and the legacy of his irrefutable artistic style still influence the top art and fashion photographers today.
Guy Bourdin’s work has been displayed in renowned museums such as The Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate Modern, The Jeu de Paume, The Getty Museum, The National Art Museum of China, The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, and The Moscow House of Photography. This is the first time his work is being exhibited in the Middle East, thanks to THAT Concept Store’s partnership with AP8.
“It has been a dream of mine to bring this sumptuous exhibition to the Middle East. There is no better place than THAT to showcase the artworks of the iconic Guy Bourdin – the photographer who was responsible for elevating fashion photography to an art form. This curated and framed collection is going to transform the home of collectors in Dubai and beyond,” says Viola Raikhel, Curator, and co-founder, ap8.art
Viola Raikhel-Bolot, Managing Director 1858 Ltd. Art Advisory with artwork and prints in her Rose Bay home. Photo Louie Douvis
THAT Concept Store’s selection of Guy Bourdin’s photography features his most iconic and recognizable images known for their luxurious and raw appeal. Taken between 1970-1979, this collection showcases his bold style blending art, fashion, and culture. AP8.art leverages technology to make art more accessible and trustworthy, with each piece authenticated by a digital code linked to its prove-nance and value. THAT Concept Store also provides customers with easy-to-hang artwork, making it effortless to find the ideal piece for their home while maintaining quality and style.
The THAT Concept store & AP8 Guy Bourdin exhibition will run starting today February 2 until March 7.
All prints will be available for purchase at THAT Concept and online at THATConceptStore.com.
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