ART | "Kurt Cobain: The Last Portrait" Exhibition "KURT - Jesse Frohman Exhibition" Held
ART | Photo Exhibition Held at "OPENING CEREMONY" in Shibuya
"KURT - Jesse Frohman Exhibition"
OPENING CEREMONY's "TOKYO CULTURAL NETWORK PROJECT" collaborates with unique and individual creators active in Tokyo to transmit diverse cultures from Tokyo and around the world. The third installment is the "KURT - Jesse Frohman Exhibition," focusing on photographs capturing Kurt Cobain's final portraits taken by New York photographer Jesse Frohman. The exhibition will be held from Friday, March 8th to Sunday, March 24th, on the 5th floor of OPENING CEREMONY TOKYO in Shibuya, at "A WALKING IN THE PARK."
Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)
Last Portrait Exhibition Captures a Beloved Music Icon
17 photographs taken of Cobain on November 15, 1993, before a performance in New York, at his hotel and the live venue that same night──The photographer was Jesse Frohman, who studied under Irving Penn and captivated numerous cultural icons with his elegant portrait style.
The shoot, originally planned for Central Park for an Observer magazine cover story, was hastily moved to a hotel conference room at the manager's request, where a simple photo studio was set up with a paper backdrop.
"Kurt Cobain © Jesse Frohman
Cobain appeared more than three hours past the scheduled time, wearing ripped jeans, a leopard-print jacket, and large Jackie O sunglasses as if to conceal his intoxicated state. He never removed the sunglasses during the 20-minute shoot, which took place just before he left for the live venue.
Cobain, who was struggling with his exaggerated media image and a musical direction shifting towards the mainstream, was repeatedly overdosing on drugs and attempting suicide around this time. The photos capture him striking provocative poses for the camera, acting as an anti-hero. Despite his eyes being hidden by sunglasses, one can sense that Cobain was at the peak of his mental anguish.
What was this extraordinary musician contemplating in the moments before his death? Frohman's lens offers a glimpse into that perspective. The venue will exhibit and sell 17 photographs, all publicly displayed for the first time in Japan.
After-party with Jesse Frohman on the Exhibition's Opening Day
An after-party is planned for the opening day of the "KURT - Jesse Frohman Exhibition," with Jesse Frohman invited from New York.
Friday, March 8th, 21:00 - 26:00
KURT - Jesse Frohman Exhibition After Party
*free entrance
at IDOL
(B1F 5-11-10 MinamiAoyama Minato-ku Tokyo)
Jesse Frohman
Based in New York. While studying economics at the University of Michigan, he began taking photographs independently. His self-produced portfolio of platinum prints caught the eye of Irving Penn, leading him to become an assistant in Penn's studio.
With his elegant portrait style, he has captivated and photographed numerous celebrities, from James Brown to Woody Allen, The Strokes, and Philip Johnson. He has contributed to major magazines such as The New York Times, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Interview, and Rolling Stone, and has handled advertising campaigns for renowned clients like Barneys, Estée Lauder, Levi's, and Sony.
www.jessefrohman.com
"KURT - Jesse Frohman Exhibition"
Exhibition Dates | Friday, March 8, 2013 - Sunday, March 24, 2013
Location | OPENING CEREMONY TOKYO 5F “A WALKING IN THE PARK”
21-1 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Seibu Shibuya Movida Building
Tel. 03-6415-6700
Business Hours | 10:00 - 21:00 (Sundays and Holidays 10:00 - 20:00)
Curated by | Kunichi Nomura / Naoki Kotaka (VACANT) / TRANSIT CREW
In cooperation with | FUJI FILM
http://www.openingceremonyjapan.com