The photo center KBr opens his doors

The Mapfre Fundation finally opened his new project in october 2020. The photo center was meant to open in the middle of march 2020. The actual health crisis obliged the hosts to report the debuts several times, but it is now possible to discover two exhibitions.

The first one is from the British photojournalist born in Hamburg, Bill Brandt, very active during the middle of the 20th century. He is famous for being the photographer of  documentaries and for the portraits he took for magazines. During he career, he worked a lot with black and white contrasts.

The light-and-shadow game is very effective

The second expostion is from Paul Strand, an american photographer and filmaker. He became famous in the starting of the 20th century. He made lots of expositions with an other very famous photographer: Alfred Steiglitz.

The atmosphere of both expositions is very dark. Their is a very interesting shadow-and-light game during the whole visit.

Photo of Paul Strand, taken by Alfred Stiegler

Two different places of the center project some films and documentaries of the two authors. In the dark, we discover a beautiful retrospective of the 20th century. Both artists adopted different styles during their career: social reportages, portraits, nudes and landscapes. Surrealism and movement are very present in their works.

More than expositions, Kbr Mapfre Fundation wants to create a cultural place. A librairy is open in the ground floor, as a zone for educative activities.

Dealing with the Covid

Opening the photo center in this trouble times was a real challenge for KBr. The actual restrictions in Catalunya only allow cultural centers and museums to open to 33% of their capacities. «We postponed the opening three times but in october, we decided it would be now or never» explains Alejandra Fernandez, communication and marketing director of the center. She continues: «We make people respect the security measures and I think this is why they feel safe when they come to see exhibitions.»

Structures of KBr foundation

Program in 2021

Even if the program is not clear for now, we already know what could be the next authors to visit the center.

Since 2008, the Mapfre Fundation has reunite a photo collection which is now near to 1300 works from different artists. The fundation possesses fundamental works in the development of historic photography like Eugène Atget, Walker Evans, Garry Winogrand and obviously Paul Strand. Many contemporary artists like Fazal Sheikh, Graciela Iturbide or Richard Learoyd, completes the list. Spanish authors like Joan Colom, Alberto García-Alix or Cristina García Rodero, are also part of the collection.

The  photography center of Barcelona, offers to us the opportunity  to see regularely works from all these photographers.

The KBr wants also to create new itineraries, like a regular collaborations with others catalan institutions involved in photography. The projection of works in schools and other creative projects for kids are part of the big plan of the center.

The international projection of the program will be an objective of the fundation. «We have a lot of collaborations with other centers all around the world», conclues Alejandra Fernandez.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIO0ulDQas4]

Dates : Bill Brandt and Paul Strand until the 24th of january

Opening hours : Open from tuesday to sunday from 11:00 to 19:00

Price : 5 euros the entrance

Adress : KBr Fundación MAPFRE Barcelona Photo Center, Av. del Litoral, nº 30, 08005 Barcelona

Transport : metro Ciutadella Vila Olímpica (line 4)

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