An Immersion in Portraits
On a sunny and cool spring afternoon, the walk through the former French Concession to this furtively located gallery was one for the books. The weather was good and the chatter of a relaxed weekend filled the air. Located in an intricately designed edifice, built in 1924, by the corner of the musically inclined Fenyang Lu, 140sqm is an interesting find.

Four huge frames of German photographer Roland Fischer's portraits welcomed us as we entered the gallery. Fresh-faced Chinese women submerged in water up to their clavicles filled the frames like beauties rising from azure waters. Venturing further into the gallery, we found other rooms containing frames from Fischer's other collections. A panoramic frame from his "Group Portraits" collection featured rows of ID-sized photos of soldiers with their names atop each photo. Collected in China in 1998, this series posed a question: was this just a peculiar photography project or Fischer's political critique?

Most interesting, however, were the series of photographs titled, "Façades"-Cpatterns taken from building façades cropped and framed in such a way that there is no indication of the bigger structure they represent. Some abstract, some repetitive and in full color, we peered closer to see if these were actual photos or works of graphic design.

We were searching for answers as we stepped out of the gallery, slightly perplexed. We saw beautiful photographs and were left wanting more-Cmore photos and more information. But then again, this exhibit may have achieved Fischer's main objective of focusing entirely on the photograph's subject. Either way, Fischer clearly has an interesting take on photography.

Rosario Juan

Details: When: Through May 4, 2008
Add: Rm. 26, 1331 Fuxing Zhong Lu 复兴中路1331号26室
Tel: 6431-6216