Fred Herzog Show Lives up to the Hype

Fred Herzog, CPR Track, 1971

"Art intended for a specific class of men is insignificant for life: what the artist creates is intended for all men." --Kurt Schwitters

I checked out the Fred Herzog show first thing this morning, and it is, as promised, spectacular. Everyone seemed to be saying that it would be, but I was wondering whether some photos of Vancouver's former downtown would hold my interest over the entire show. It's a large show, taking up the entire third floor of the VAG, and it's not only neon signage and guys in fedoras.

Full show review after the jump...

Herzog got his first camera, a Kodak Retina 1 in 1950, only just before leaving Germany to come over to Canada. He bought his first professional camera, a Leica, in 1957 and committed to using colour slide film almost exclusively. He was attracted to its "long tonal range, ability to capture subtle hues, and superior sharpness." The only difficult thing with this film was reproduction quality and that it wasn't meant for spontaneous shots.

This preference for slide film is paying off now for Fred Herzog, but mostly for us viewers. Now that digital technologies are up to snuff, print reproductions are finally possible to do these photos justice.

Viewing these photos made me feel like I was peering into a window, or able to walk right into the photo -- it's definitely not the clarity that gives you this feeling, (many of the photos have a heavy grain on closer examination) but that depth and detail that only slides seem to be able to provide.

Herzog's compositions are very strong, but most noticeable for me is how textural everything is; he captures the grit clinging to buildings, the corrosion of the boats in the shipyard, the wrecked cars and the people in their landscapes.

The most awesome surprise was near the end of my visit when I found the slide room. I had been wondering why everything was prints, and there were no slides on display. The gallery put the slides on a DVD loop for simplicity's sake, and there was 19 minutes worth. Most of this is wall art and graffitti, which was a very good treat for me, as I am a fan.

Last tip: Don't miss "Hastings at Carrall, 1973," a rare black-and-white panoramic shot, out the driver's side windshield in a car stopped at the light, pouring rain, with a woman with long legs and an umbrella rushing across the street.

Fred Herzog, until May 13
Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street

This Sunday: Herzog in conversation with the curator (Grant Arnold)
2pm, in the Gallery

Next Tuesday: Curator's tour on Herzog
7pm, in the Gallery (by donation between 5 and 9pm)

Coming up: Equinox Gallery
February 8 to March 10
2321 Granville Street (at W. 7th)

Image courtesy of Equinox Gallery
Ink Jet Print, 20 x 29.75 in.
Edition of 20 Unframed
CND $3,000.00