Guy Bourdin. A Message For You

The KUNST HAUS WIEN shows the work of French photographer Guy Bourdin (1928-1991) in the exhibition "A MESSAGE FOR YOU".

Guy Bourdin is considered to be one of the most daring artists in the world of 20th century visual culture who was responsible for the ground breaking turning point in the world of image-making in the 70s. A singular artist, with an eye of a painter he created fascinating images in terms of narrative, composition, and exploring the realms between the absurd and the sublime. His inspirational work and legacy is finally celebrated in the most prestigious international museums.

This exhibition with more than 300 works is both an introduction and an overview of the essential components of Guy Bourdin's oeuvre. It aims to establish his status as a visionaire image maker and his inspiring power which still have such significance for artists of our decades like e.g. Madonna, that she was successfully taken to court for plagiarism by Guy Bourdins heirs for her video "Hollywood" in 2004.

The exhibition includes modern prints, b/w 1950s vintage prints, Polaroids, cinefilms - early 1970s, landscape slide show, sketches and texts. The modern prints are a selection mainly from 70s early 80s and show timeless qualities. For the first time this exhibition unveils the wide spectrum of Guy Bourdin's artistic work.