Christophe Von Hohenberg: A Cornucopia of Photography
Christophe Von Hohenberg: A Cornucopia in Photography, NYC October 30th, 2008
October 30th, New York City. Christophe Von Hohenberg opened A Cornucopia In Photography at Affirmation Arts Gallery, a retrospective of his thirty year career. A spectacular black & white photo of Bianca a Jagger on magenta greeted guests upon entering, thus, setting the tone for the evening. The show had very strong representation from the artists AIGA Award winning 2007 publication, ANDY WARHOL: The Day the Factory Died. An excerpt from the book reads, "Christophe Von Hohenberg's photos from that day, as well as other documentary evidence collected here, have frozen a moment in time. The Day the Factory Died is a time capsule published marking the twentieth anniversary of Andy Warhol's death." Books were on hand for the artist to autograph. I did not need a book because I attended Christophe's book launch party last year and received one. I must say, his photos and Charlie Sheips historical writing of the Warhol days are most memorable.
Christophe has the title of Baron, although he chooses not to use it. He has eased in and out of various social circles, capturing his subjects with the 'net' of his photography. The mood and tone of the show was thought provoking, especially those portraits taken at Warhol's funeral. They brought a time gone by to life, I heard some guests recall their time spent with Andy or at Studio 54. The show also consisted of some amazing nudes and portraiture. I liked everything but found myself drawn to the photos from Andy Warhol's funeral. They unearthed powerful emotions in me, perhaps because Andy and I were both from Pittsburgh, perhaps because I was at New York Hospital when he died, and definitely because Christophe's images of that day are so remarkable and clear. His work brought some clarity to the chaos and shock that so many people felt because of the loss of Andy who had touched so many peoples lives. In a way, I think Christophe's work is a gift to all of us, those of us who did not experience the Factory Days can look back in time through his photographs. People who lived in that generation of time can remember it as if it were yesterday.
Christophe has worked for American Vogue, Vanity Fair, Interview, Rolling Stone and countless publications.
The gallery was crowded with friends and followers of Christophes. Who would have thought that his first assignment at Vanity Fair to photograph mini skirts at a funeral would be toasted for documenting history. Apparently, there were no mini skirts to be photographed at Andy's funeral, instead, St. Patrick's Cathedral was filled with over 2,000 people inside alone. Mourners included celebrities, socialites, politicians, and people from all 'worlds' brought together for a sorrowful occasion. If it weren't for the split second decision of Christophe to turn his assignment around and document Andy Warhol's funeral we would not have this valuable piece of New York history. Christophe's work is powerful. I enjoyed the show and left feeling that I would like to see more, it truly was like rewinding time in a capsule. To learn more go to http://www.christophevonhohenberg.com and http://www.affirmationarts.com. To view more of my published work go to http://www.blacktiemagazine.com Photos and story by Sara Herbert-Galloway edit
Read MoreOctober 30th, New York City. Christophe Von Hohenberg opened A Cornucopia In Photography at Affirmation Arts Gallery, a retrospective of his thirty year career. A spectacular black & white photo of Bianca a Jagger on magenta greeted guests upon entering, thus, setting the tone for the evening. The show had very strong representation from the artists AIGA Award winning 2007 publication, ANDY WARHOL: The Day the Factory Died. An excerpt from the book reads, "Christophe Von Hohenberg's photos from that day, as well as other documentary evidence collected here, have frozen a moment in time. The Day the Factory Died is a time capsule published marking the twentieth anniversary of Andy Warhol's death." Books were on hand for the artist to autograph. I did not need a book because I attended Christophe's book launch party last year and received one. I must say, his photos and Charlie Sheips historical writing of the Warhol days are most memorable.
Christophe has the title of Baron, although he chooses not to use it. He has eased in and out of various social circles, capturing his subjects with the 'net' of his photography. The mood and tone of the show was thought provoking, especially those portraits taken at Warhol's funeral. They brought a time gone by to life, I heard some guests recall their time spent with Andy or at Studio 54. The show also consisted of some amazing nudes and portraiture. I liked everything but found myself drawn to the photos from Andy Warhol's funeral. They unearthed powerful emotions in me, perhaps because Andy and I were both from Pittsburgh, perhaps because I was at New York Hospital when he died, and definitely because Christophe's images of that day are so remarkable and clear. His work brought some clarity to the chaos and shock that so many people felt because of the loss of Andy who had touched so many peoples lives. In a way, I think Christophe's work is a gift to all of us, those of us who did not experience the Factory Days can look back in time through his photographs. People who lived in that generation of time can remember it as if it were yesterday.
Christophe has worked for American Vogue, Vanity Fair, Interview, Rolling Stone and countless publications.
The gallery was crowded with friends and followers of Christophes. Who would have thought that his first assignment at Vanity Fair to photograph mini skirts at a funeral would be toasted for documenting history. Apparently, there were no mini skirts to be photographed at Andy's funeral, instead, St. Patrick's Cathedral was filled with over 2,000 people inside alone. Mourners included celebrities, socialites, politicians, and people from all 'worlds' brought together for a sorrowful occasion. If it weren't for the split second decision of Christophe to turn his assignment around and document Andy Warhol's funeral we would not have this valuable piece of New York history. Christophe's work is powerful. I enjoyed the show and left feeling that I would like to see more, it truly was like rewinding time in a capsule. To learn more go to http://www.christophevonhohenberg.com and http://www.affirmationarts.com. To view more of my published work go to http://www.blacktiemagazine.com Photos and story by Sara Herbert-Galloway edit
