Photo : Eva Klasson, "Back". Le format de l'œuvre a été modifié
Exhibition: Take Off
Starting from the pioneering work of Swedish photographer Eva Klasson, active in Paris between 1969 and 1984, the exhibition brings together a dozen contemporary photographers from three different generations to examine the evolution of the representation of the body in photography.
Institut Suédois (Paris 3rd)
About
Since the first prints nearly 200 years ago, photography has always chosen the body as a subject: to preserve the memory of a person, as self-promotion, to explore its mechanics (Eadweard Muybridge), or even in protest-driven stagings like the faked drowning in Hippolyte Bayard’s self-portrait (1840), who was disappointed not to have been recognized as the inventor of photography by the Academy of Sciences. The representation of the body in photography speaks volumes about our society and the way it considers not only this envelope but also the human hidden behind it. Intrinsically linked to technology, photography also echoes advancements in the field: digitization, retouching software, 3D printing, artificial intelligence… How do new technologies change our perception of the body and the body of photography itself?
It was in Paris between 1969 and 1984 that the iconic Eva Klasson developed some of her most emblematic series, including Le Troisième Angle (1976), which was exhibited at the Centre Pompidou the following year, Ombilic (1977), exhibited at the Musée d'Art Moderne the same year, and Parasites (1978), exhibited at the Swedish Cultural Center, which has since become the Institut suédois. Several of her works are now in Swedish and French collections (MAM, MEP…) and her influence on a whole generation of Swedish photographers was profound. Klasson is currently the subject of renewed interest in Sweden, notably through an exhibition which, after the Borås Konstmuseum, is currently presented at Mjellby Konstmuseum, curated by art historian Lotta Granqvist who recently published her thesis on the artist. Building on this unique body of work, the exhibition will be enriched by the work of other photographers who explore themes similar to those developed by Klasson: the body, its representation, and the act of photographing oneself. The exhibition will thus offer the opportunity to question the representation of the body, yesterday as today, as well as the evolution of photography. It will be complemented by an associated program consisting of meetings, tours, performances, concerts, etc., extending and enriching these reflections.
The title "Take Off" is inspired by another Swedish artist, a pioneer in the field of video art. In 1977, Gunvor Nelson created a short film that shows, with great humor, a space striptease during which the stripper goes so far as to shed parts of her own body, once she has become completely naked.
Featuring:
Ikram Abdulkadir, Diana Agunbiade-Kolawole, Lotta Antonsson, Lucile Boiron, Arvida Byström, Dev Dhunsi, JH Engström, Arno Rafael Minkkinen, Gunvor Nelson, Frida Orupabo, SMITH, Li Yi-Fan.
Curators: Marion Alluchon, Sara Arrhenius, and Anna Danielsson.
Scientific Committee: Dragana Vujanovic-Östlihn, Chief Curator of the Hasselblad Foundation, and Lotta Granqvist, PhD in Art History.
The exhibition has been awarded the Bicentennial of Photography label.
Our take on this event
Forget standard self-portraits and dive into this provocative exploration of the human form. By bridging the iconic works of the seventies with modern digital shifts, this show challenges how we perceive our own presence in an evolving image-saturated world. Perfect for those who love digging beneath the surface of artistic evolution.
From February 12 to May 2, 2027, the Institut suédois in the 3rd arrondissement presents Take Off, an exhibition exploring the evolution of photography and the representation of the body. Featuring works by twelve artists, including Eva Klasson and Gunvor Nelson, the exhibition examines how technology shapes our perception of ourselves. This event is free and open to the public, offering a rich program of performances, concerts, and discussions. The venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users, people with hearing or visual impairments, and visitors with cognitive disabilities, ensuring an inclusive experience for all art enthusiasts.
Take Off invites you to explore the intersection of the human body and photographic technology. Celebrating the Bicentennial of photography, the exhibition showcases the legacy of Eva Klasson alongside contemporary artists like Ikram Abdulkadir, Arvida Byström, and SMITH. Curated by Marion Alluchon, Sara Arrhenius, and Anna Danielsson, the project investigates how tools ranging from digital software to artificial intelligence alter the way we capture and perceive our physical selves, drawing thematic inspiration from Gunvor Nelson's iconic video work.
The exhibition is further enhanced by a scientific committee including Dr. Lotta Granqvist and Hasselblad Foundation curator Dragana Vujanovic-Östlihn. Visitors can enjoy a diverse program of associated events, such as live performances, concerts, and guided tours, which extend the critical dialogue initiated by the artworks on display.
Take Off is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 to 19:00. The Institut suédois provides full accessibility, featuring facilities for wheelchair users, support for those with hearing or visual impairments, and accommodations for visitors with cognitive disabilities, including sign language integration.
