Thursday night saw the preview of longtime OC friend and lookbook photographer Max Farago's Look Like Barbie, Smoke Like Marley exhibition at Jonathan Viner gallery in London's Mayfair. Inspired by real life and partly by fake life, Max's photographs mockument a world which, although semi-staged, feels intensely real and overfamiliar. The works portray intimate relationships with Los Angeles as the backdrop, starring everything from its McMansions and pool patios, to its supersized shopping malls.
There is a hint of irony in the content of Max's images––something of the super superficial––that highlights egocentricity. This may have something to do with the American reality television phenomenon that plays an important role in his work. The photographer turns ordinary aspects of LA life and personal relationships into spectacles, commenting on how these TV shows supposedly portray normal moments, but are in fact products of editing techniques, and real people sort of acting. The result is a critique of what is and isn't factual today. Catch the show before it closes on April 27th, 2013.
JONATHAN VINER GALLERY
17a Adam's Row
London W1K2LA
MAP
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OC London's Elin
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Max! (right)
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Max Farago, Lips and Chopsticks, 2012, digital c-print, 25 3/8 x 38 inches, MF/PH 15, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
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Max Farago massage, 2012, digital c-print, 40 x 60, inches MF/PH 1, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
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Max Farago Looney comforting Kaeli, 2012 digital c-print, 40 x 60, inches MF/PH 2, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
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Max Farago, Nympha decompressing, 2013, digital c-print, 40 x 60 inches, MF/PH 3, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
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Max Farago, the kiss, 2012, digital c-print, 40 x 60 inches, MF/PH 4, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
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Max Farago, Thanks & Giving, 2012, digital c-print, 13 3/8 x 20 inches, MF/PH 8, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
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Max Farago, The Americana Mall, 2012, digital c-print, 13 3/8 x 20 inches, MF/PH 10, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
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Max Farago, Ginamarie and Annamarie in the TV room, 2012, digital c-print, 25 3/8 x 38 inches, MF/PH 12, Cour
There is a hint of irony in the content of Max's images––something of the super superficial––that highlights egocentricity. This may have something to do with the American reality television phenomenon that plays an important role in his work. The photographer turns ordinary aspects of LA life and personal relationships into spectacles, commenting on how these TV shows supposedly portray normal moments, but are in fact products of editing techniques, and real people sort of acting. The result is a critique of what is and isn't factual today. Catch the show before it closes on April 27th, 2013.
JONATHAN VINER GALLERY
17a Adam's Row
London W1K2LA
MAP
OC London's Elin
Max! (right)
Max Farago, Lips and Chopsticks, 2012, digital c-print, 25 3/8 x 38 inches, MF/PH 15, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
Max Farago massage, 2012, digital c-print, 40 x 60, inches MF/PH 1, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
Max Farago Looney comforting Kaeli, 2012 digital c-print, 40 x 60, inches MF/PH 2, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
Max Farago, Nympha decompressing, 2013, digital c-print, 40 x 60 inches, MF/PH 3, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
Max Farago, the kiss, 2012, digital c-print, 40 x 60 inches, MF/PH 4, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
Max Farago, Thanks & Giving, 2012, digital c-print, 13 3/8 x 20 inches, MF/PH 8, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
Max Farago, The Americana Mall, 2012, digital c-print, 13 3/8 x 20 inches, MF/PH 10, Courtesy: Jonathan Viner, London
Max Farago, Ginamarie and Annamarie in the TV room, 2012, digital c-print, 25 3/8 x 38 inches, MF/PH 12, Cour