“Old Dreams, New Dreams” features over 200 works by internationally renowned photographers Ata Kandó and Hellen van Meene. Ata Kandó (Budapest, 1913) is celebrating her centenary with this exhibition. At Kranenburgh, she presents a cross-section of her oeuvre, from Hungarian refugees to fairytale-like photographs of her children. Hellen van Meene (Alkmaar, 1972) presents her recent work, including the series “Dogs and Girls,” which portrays children and dogs together.
Old dreams, New dreams
Dreams in Photography
Kandó and Van Meene represent very different generations. What unites them is the dreamlike quality that emanates from both their work. These “dreams in photography” are based on very different motivations and working methods: what for one person meant an escape from reality is for another a precisely orchestrated reality.
Ata Kandó
Ata Kandó’s work shows great variety: from Parisian fashion photography and the South American jungle to her life with photographer Ed van der Elsken. Kandó considers the series “Droom in het Woud” (Dream in the Forest) and “Kalypso and Nausikaa,” with portraits of her children in a fairytale setting, to be her best work ever. The 1957 photo book “Droom in het Woud” (Dream in the Forest) is being reissued and will be released to accompany the exhibition.
Hellen van Meene
While Kandó still cautiously explores the portrayal of budding adolescence, Hellen van Meene has dedicated herself more explicitly to this theme. In her dreamy portraits of children, she explores the delicate balance between childhood and adulthood. Her series “Dogs and Girls” depicts children flanked by dogs with almost human facial expressions.
Artworks
Hellen van Meene
Untitled, (detail).
2012
Ata Kandó
Ata Kandó, uit de serie Nausikaa
