Paintings that are so detailed and lifelike that you almost think they are photographs. That is the magic of photorealism. But what stories lie behind these astonishing works? And how do contemporary artists deal with the specific visual language of this art movement that is also called hyperrealism? Discover it in the exhibition On edge: a closer look at photorealism .

There is a surcharge of €3 for this exhibition.

Critical look

In Op sharp we look at photorealism with a critical eye. We break open the American canon of white, male artists of the first generation and supplement it with female, African-American, Western and Eastern European artists. Just like the photorealists of the first hour, they use the photorealistic style to express their vision of the world. Op sharp celebrates the beauty and craftsmanship of photorealism. And challenges you to look sharply and investigate old and new boundaries between illusion and reality.

Own collection

The starting point of the exhibition is the Centraal Museum's unique collection of American photorealism. The larger-than-life paintings of Don Eddy, Malcom Morley, Chuck Close, Howard Kanovitz and many others meticulously depict America in the 1960s and 1970s. Close-ups of shiny American sleighs, mirrored shop windows, diner interiors, neon signs and highly enlarged portraits; These and many more iconic works can be admired in the exhibition. It is the first time in 35 years that this special collection can be seen together again.

Media guide

Enrich your visit to Op sharp with the free media guide. Listen to the stories of Esmee Postma (guest curator), Esiri Erheriene-Essi (artist), Madeleijn van den Nieuwenhuizen (legal historian and media critic) and Jaya Pelupessy (artist). They chose their favorite works and tell their stories based on personal experience, knowledge and admiration.

The media guide can be used directly on your smartphone by scanning the QR code. Or open the media guide via this link . Tip: bring your headphones.

Activities

Various activities will take place during the exhibition. For example, visitors can participate in creative workshops with artist Jhonie van Boeijen , talk to 'living books' during the Living Library sessions and attend a conversation series organized in collaboration with FOTODOK.  We also give two lectures in collaboration with the Vrije Academie . On Sundays there are free introductory guided tours  and several editions of Centraal Laat are organized . For more information, see the Agenda .

Publication

The exhibition is accompanied by the lavishly illustrated publication On Sharp: A Closer Look at Photorealism (publisher Wbooks). The book offers more depth on themes from the exhibition. With contributions from Hanneke Grootenboer, Esmee Postma, Linda Nochlin and several contemporary artists. The publication consists of 128 pages and can be purchased in the museum shop. Price: €29.95.

Participating artists

John De Andrea, Richard Artschwager, Robert Bechtle, Thomas Blackwell, Jhonie van Boeijen, Britto Arts Trust, Vija Celmins, Chuck Close, Susan Collis, Robert Cottingham, Don Eddy, Esiri Erheriene-Essi, Bobbi Essers, Richard Estes, Audrey Flack, Ryan Gander, Franz Gertsch, Louise Giovanelli, Duane Hanson, Barkley L. Hendricks, Lieven Hendriks, Jean-Olivier Hucleux, John Kacere, Howard Kanovitz, Allison Katz, Edward Kienholz, Peter Klasen, Ron Kleemann, László Lakner, Lucy McKenzie, Richard McLean, Marilyn Minter, Jacques Monory, Malcolm Morley, Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Kaz Oshiro, Gerhard Richter, John Salt, Fernando Sánchez Castillo, Ben Schonzeit, Joan Semmel, Idelle Weber, Kehinde Wiley, Issy Wood and Alida Ymele.

Moving Gallery

Want to see more photorealism? The exhibition REALLY! will open in the Utrecht gallery Moving Gallery on Saturday February 10. with work by eleven established and emerging photorealistic artists. Three of them (Jhonie van Boeijen, Lieven Hendriks and Bobbi Essers) can also be seen in Op sharp . The exhibition runs until Sunday March 17.

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