In the sumptuous surroundings of the Thomas Cubbitt designed Argentine Ambassador’s residence is an exhibition of black and white works by two Argentine photographers. Images of Buenos Aires by Bauhaus-educated Horacio Coppola and Facundo Zuviría are hung together on the first floor. This approach mixes the contemporary work by Zuviria with the photographs Coppola took in the 1930s and gives the viewer the chance to compare the technique and subject matter of the two artists.
Coppola’s work may date from the 1930s but it appears fresh and as contemporary as the pieces by Zuviria. His famous image Esto es Buenos Aires is a forerunner of the puddlegram craze that currently floats around social media. Cars are not timeless and the early pieces can easily be spotted when they include vehicles. But much of Coppola’s work is abstract and remains up-to-date. He is interested in the shapes and angles of the urban landscape, as well as the spontaneous moments that link a city with its population.
Working decades later in the same city Zuviria has many of the same concerns. His images don’t have the dropped focus or large grain that Coppola’s sometimes show, but they have a similar content, extracting small vignettes from urban life and architecture. Both photographers enjoy the shadows and tones of black and white photography, but Zuviria deals more in symmetry and repetition. His images have a sense of planned prettiness whereas Coppola manages to show moments that feel more stolen and unrepeatable.
These images mainly give a romantic, nostalgic sheen to Buenos Aires. But two photos work well together to tell a different tale. Medianeras by Coppola and Tarre de Iluvia by Zuviria both show wires in the city. Coppola’s image from 1931 is bold, a pylon of taut wires showing the optimism and power of modernity. But Zuviria’s 1992 image is of wonky aerials and haphazard wires between buildings, reflecting a time when big ideas and optimism has been replaced by smaller, less grandiose hopes.
Coppola lived to the very old age of 105. His brother who was also a photographer made it to 106. As the Argentine Ambassador pointed out, many photographers live a long time. Cartier-Bresson made it to 96, Man Ray to 86. Maybe if you want to prolong your life instead of going to the gym and eating muesli you should just take up photography.
This exhibition is part of Open House, taking place all over London, so the residence on Belgrave Square is only open for a short period this weekend.
How to find the Argentine Ambassador’s residence and opening times.
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