This summer The Photographers’ Gallery will exhibit, for the first time in the UK, the Hungarian photographer André Kertész’s On Reading series. Born in Budapest, André Kertész - whose original name was Kertész Andor - took his first photograph at age 18 with a simple box camera. During World War I, he photographed everyday life in the front line as well as the hinterland, perfecting his style while experimenting with new points of view and camera angles. He left Hungary in 1925 for Paris, where he lived for eleven years, immersing himself in the creative community and producing the now world famous images such as Mondrian’s Pipe and Glasses (1926) and The Fork (1928). Capturing readers of all ages in various locations – on rooftops and balconies, in parks, on crowded streets, at train stations, in libraries etc. – was one of his favourite projects. The photographs range from abstract formal compositions to playful, often humorous observations. The exhibition, which opens on 17 July, will feature a selection of these works, taken between 1915 and 1980.

Press Release of The Photographers’ Gallery

André Kertész: On Reading
Dates: 17 July – 4 October 2009
Location: 16 – 18 Ramillies Street, W1

This summer The Photographers’ Gallery will exhibit, for the first time in the UK, the Hungarian photographer André Kertész’s On Reading series. Considered one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, Kertész was preoccupied with this black & white photography project for the duration of his career. The exhibition will feature a selection of the works, taken between 1915 and 1980, and the countries in which Kertész photographed.

On Reading is a celebration of the power and pleasure of reading. Kertész photographed in the many places he lived, visited and worked, including Argentina, France, Hungary, UK and USA. Throughout this project he captured readers of all ages in various locations – on rooftops and balconies, in parks, on crowded streets, at train stations, in libraries – creating a poetic study of the act of reading.
Kertész observed the universal appeal of reading, reveling in the privacy of the moment.

Documenting all aspects of reading, the book, as object, is also represented through paintings, still-life compositions and photographs of bookshelves and library interiors. The photographs range from abstract formal compositions to playful, often humorous observations, a signature style of Kertész’s work.

Born in Budapest, André Kertész (1894–1985) took his first photograph in 1912. It was in 1914, when drafted into the Austro-Hungarian Army, that he undertook his first extensive body of work, recording everyday moments in the trenches. He left Hungary in 1925 for Paris, where he lived for eleven years, immersing himself in the creative community and producing the now world famous images such as Mondrian’s Pipe and Glasses (1926) and The Fork (1928). His move in 1936 to New York resulted in relative obscurity until a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York in 1964 reappraised his work and lead to numerous exhibitions at major international museums.

Until his death in 1985, Kertész worked tirelessly on new projects and ways of working. However, On Reading remained a constant fascination. At this moment when digital technologies might render the printed page obsolete, On Reading is a timely, humorous and nostalgic reminder of the impact of the book and the culture of reading.

Through presenting this series, The Photographers’ Gallery reflects its commitment to introducing works of key importance in the history of photography to new audiences.

Photo credit: André Kertész, Boy reading newspaper, 1944 © The Estate of André Kertész / Courtesy of Stephen Bulger Gallery

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