Jan Saudek

I have just received a book on this unusual artiste.
Any one else familiar with his work?
If so , what are your impressions?
What do you like/ not like about him?
I have not formed an opinion on him yet , but so far I am very impressed. For a taste of his work please visit the
Jan Saudek website

I saw his exhibit in Prague last October and was very impressed... even bought a book and carried it through Italy on my way back to the States.

He has an incredible imagination... and sets up elaborate studio shots that ahve, to my eyes, a very painterly effect. I also like that he has been photographing the same people for many years and you can see the changes in them over time.

Mike

Me too, but in June! I'll check my Prague photos! He loves things in, abou and against the birth canal!

Asher

Hi Mike.

Mike Guthman said:

I saw his exhibit in Prague last October and was very impressed...

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I am gutted... I was in Prague last November… had I known about this fellow, I would not have missed the exhibit.

Mike Guthman said:

I also like that he has been photographing the same people for many years and you can see the changes in them over time.

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After perusing his book some more, I’ve managed to pull myself away from it for a few minutes so as to get a little information about him, Wow! What an unbelievable story... concentration camp… secret police seizing his art… I am amazed! An exceptional mind indeed . Like you, I also enjoy his “lapsed time” images, is a great study on the human body, also, the repetitive use of the backgrounds, allowed me to get ever so comfortable with images that border with –soft- pornography. I love his style, is unique, a rare condition these days.

Mike Guthman said:

...and sets up elaborate studio shots that ahve, to my eyes, a very painterly effect.

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I think He hand paints the gels to create the effect.

Asher Kelman said:

Me too, but in June! I'll check my Prague photos! He loves things in, abou and against the birth canal!

Asher

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Hi Asher.
Would you be so kind as to share your thoughts on this amazing artiste?

I'lll do that a little later. Ge's like a Czech National treasure.

The gallery is always popular and people really linger. I'll get back to Jan, I promise!

Asher

His style reminds me of something but I cant put my finger on it. Sort of prewar voyeuristic postcard art.
I've been glued to his site for the last 1/2 hour, the images are extremely rich and captivating and his CV is fascinating. I must delve further!

Wonderful photos. I'm not usually a fan of 'staged' photos for lack of a better word, but his images are powerful, evocative and painterly. He achieves a naturalness with his compositions that I think is very difficult.

Thank you so much for the link.

Steve Quattrocchi said:

Wonderful photos. I'm not usually a fan of 'staged' photos for lack of a better word, but his images are powerful, evocative and painterly. He achieves a naturalness with his compositions that I think is very difficult.

Thank you so much for the link.

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Interesting, he is still accepted more abroad then here in Czech Republic. Some years ago he declared he will not make a show here anymore because local critics were very negative to him. He was usually mentioned as an example of kitsch or pseudo-art.

Two years ago, before the show that Asher talked about, we had another show - Czech Photography of the 20. Century, where his work had been cofronted with work of others from his generation. Many people I have talked with about him shared opinion that this show changed their view at him, they understand him better than before. It is more the context of the social situation then his work itself that influences an acceptance of his work as an art - my view.

These shows were realy important events, we had great years here in Prague.

Petr