Open Eye Gallery has been one of the UK's leading photography spaces since 1977, and is the only gallery dedicated to photography in the North West of England. 2011 represents an exciting milestone in the history of the gallery as it moves to a brand new purpose-built home, twice the size of its former incarnation. The new gallery space will open on 5 November, presenting work by world-class photographers Mitch Epstein and Chris Steele-Perkins for its programme of inaugural exhibitions.
The new gallery is a bespoke space developed by Open Eye director Patrick Henry with architects RCKa and comprises three areas for exhibitions. The main galleries on the ground floor will showcase an international programme of cutting-edge contemporary photography, opening with award-winning, New York based photographer Mitch Epstein’s acclaimed American Power series. Awarded the prestigious 2011 Prix Pictet photographic award, the body of work reflects on energy production, power politics and the American Dream gone awry.
The first floor of the gallery will house a series of exhibitions drawn from the richness of the gallery’s archives, launching with Magnum photographer Chris Steele-Perkins’ The Pleasure Principle, while the gallery’s exterior wall will be used for large-scale Wall Work commissioned pieces, the first being a striking new artwork by S Mark Gubb.
Further highlights from the opening year’s programme include Richard and Famous in January 2012: An exploration of celebrity and fandom curated by the highly influential photographer Martin Parr featuring work by Australian photographer Richard Simpkin and LA-based Simone Lueck.
The inaugural exhibition programme opens on 5 November and runs until 23 December. Open Eye's new space is located in a development on Liverpool’s Waterfront and is a stone’s throw from Tate Liverpool and the Albert Dock, in the heart of the city’s rich cultural quarter.
openeye.org.uk
Images (Top to Bottom):
1. Hypnosis Demonstration, Cambridge University Ball
From The Pleasure Principle (1989)
Chris Steele-Perkins
2. Blackpool Beach
From The Pleasure Principle (1989)
Chris Steele-Perkins
3. Photo Opportunity During Territorial Army Exercise
From The Pleasure Principle (1989)
Chris Steele-Perkins
4. American Power
BP Carton Refinery, California 2007
Mitch Epstein. Courtesy Thomas Zander Galerie, Cologne.
5. American Power
Las Vegas, Nevada 2007.
Mitch Epstein. Courtesy Thomas Zander Galerie, Cologne.
6. American Power
Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, Nevada/Arizona, 2007
Mitch Epstein. Courtesy Thomas Zander Galerie, Cologne.
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