Letter from Madrid
"When Benedikt Taschen extends an invitation to go somewhere, to see something, it is best to go" - Impressions of the Taschen Collection and Martin Kippenberger show as seen by Eric Kroll
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When Benedikt Taschen extends an invitation to go somewhere, to see something, it is best to go. I went. I went to Madrid, Spain to the opening of the Colección Taschen at the Museo National Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the unveiling of the Martin Kippenberger Pinturas also at the Reina Sofía (Palacio de Velázquez, Parque del Retiro). After all, it might be a dancing lesson from God.
And it was. I arrived mid-morning three days before the exhibitions were to open and found my way to the Hotel Monaco, in the heart of the Chueca district, the gay and lesbian center of Madrid. Thank you, Benedikt. The Lonely Planet travel book for Madrid describes the Hotel Monaco as "one of Madrid's rare truly quirky places, in the most likeable sense of the word". The guide book suggests securing rooms 123 or 127, but my old acquaintances and close friends of Benedikt, had taken those. Rainer Opoku, the only man to exhibit my photos alongside Helmut Newton's in his gallery in Köln, Germany had room 123 and Edwin Paas, the genius chef had the room with the Jacuzzi (rm 127). That was fine. I choose the top floor room that was easily flooded with daylight and had a gigantic mirror alongside the wooden sculpted bed. After all, I take erotic photos (by daylight).
I left my hotel and walked to the Museo Del Prado. I had to 'art exercise' to be ready for the Colección Taschen. I was going to work my way there over the next several days and I wanted to begin with the Hieronymous Bosch room. I had heard that a woman writer stood everyday for a year in front of his "The Garden of Earthly Delights" (1505) then wrote a book about the painting. I spent an hour in the room then moved on to the Diego Velázquez "The Family of Philip IV" (1656). Impressive that someone, over 350 years ago, could make such a photo realist painting. Camera Obscura? Then upstairs to Goya's "The Third of May 1808 in Madrid: the Executions at Principe Pio" (1814). Again, timely and moving. Was this Iraq less than two hundred years ago? Art should bring about peace. Shouldn't every soldier have to wander the Prado, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemizza and the Reina Sofía and then decide if to go to war? Sorry... I got distracted.
A final moment in front of Goya's "Clothed" and "Naked" Maja's (1797). I'm going to steal his simple idea and photograph a woman I met named Maya.
Back to the hotel to meet a new photographer friend for late Spanish dinner. When I left at 8 pm the narrow street was deserted. When I returned at 2 am the street was packed with people. I noticed two lipstick lesbians exchanging kisses. For my benefit?
Page [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Page [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
When Benedikt Taschen extends an invitation to go somewhere, to see something, it is best to go. I went. I went to Madrid, Spain to the opening of the Colección Taschen at the Museo National Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the unveiling of the Martin Kippenberger Pinturas also at the Reina Sofía (Palacio de Velázquez, Parque del Retiro). After all, it might be a dancing lesson from God.
And it was. I arrived mid-morning three days before the exhibitions were to open and found my way to the Hotel Monaco, in the heart of the Chueca district, the gay and lesbian center of Madrid. Thank you, Benedikt. The Lonely Planet travel book for Madrid describes the Hotel Monaco as "one of Madrid's rare truly quirky places, in the most likeable sense of the word". The guide book suggests securing rooms 123 or 127, but my old acquaintances and close friends of Benedikt, had taken those. Rainer Opoku, the only man to exhibit my photos alongside Helmut Newton's in his gallery in Köln, Germany had room 123 and Edwin Paas, the genius chef had the room with the Jacuzzi (rm 127). That was fine. I choose the top floor room that was easily flooded with daylight and had a gigantic mirror alongside the wooden sculpted bed. After all, I take erotic photos (by daylight).
I left my hotel and walked to the Museo Del Prado. I had to 'art exercise' to be ready for the Colección Taschen. I was going to work my way there over the next several days and I wanted to begin with the Hieronymous Bosch room. I had heard that a woman writer stood everyday for a year in front of his "The Garden of Earthly Delights" (1505) then wrote a book about the painting. I spent an hour in the room then moved on to the Diego Velázquez "The Family of Philip IV" (1656). Impressive that someone, over 350 years ago, could make such a photo realist painting. Camera Obscura? Then upstairs to Goya's "The Third of May 1808 in Madrid: the Executions at Principe Pio" (1814). Again, timely and moving. Was this Iraq less than two hundred years ago? Art should bring about peace. Shouldn't every soldier have to wander the Prado, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemizza and the Reina Sofía and then decide if to go to war? Sorry... I got distracted.
A final moment in front of Goya's "Clothed" and "Naked" Maja's (1797). I'm going to steal his simple idea and photograph a woman I met named Maya.
Back to the hotel to meet a new photographer friend for late Spanish dinner. When I left at 8 pm the narrow street was deserted. When I returned at 2 am the street was packed with people. I noticed two lipstick lesbians exchanging kisses. For my benefit?
Page [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Taschen Collection
Hardcover 11.7 x 16.5 in., 254 pages
$ 70.00
$ 70.00
The art of a particular moment in history from a new point of view
Monday morning, October 18, 2005: The press meets Benedikt Taschen at the Museo National Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid
The Colección Taschen at the Museo National Centro de Arte Reina Sofía