"The expression that she used frequently to encourage students who seemed to be struggling with the increasingly conceptual notions about photography, she would always say "Just follow your nose". And I think that is critically important to know about her and how she approached her own work." - Jed Devine
This exhibition marks the first retrospective of the entire body of work by Jan Groover (1943-2012), an American photographer whose personal collection became part of the Photo Elysée collections in 2017. Through a selection of archives from this collection, it not only explores the artist's New York years but also sheds light on the lesser-known French period of her career. The exhibition showcases the results of significant research conducted by the museum's team on the collection, focusing on both conservation (in-depth analyses of photographic processes and supports, restoration treatments) and historical documentation (contextualization of the work and its reception, both institutionally and critically).
"Formalism is essential." Taking Groover's assertion as a guiding principle, the exhibition highlights the distinctly plastic purpose pursued throughout the photographer's work. Driven by constant experimentation, this research and the creative process it entails are emphasized not only through the presentation of vintage prints but also through the inclusion of documents, notes, and preparatory notebooks.
The exhibition Jan Groover. Laboratory of Forms was presented at Photo Elysée from September 18, 2019, to January 5, 2020.
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