Andre Gelpke. Karneval im Gürzenich

Gelpke, André. Andre Gelpke. Karneval im Gürzenich. München: 2 Studio / Fotomuseum im Münchener Stadtmuseum, 1981. First edition. Octavo. One loose leaf, 12pp. Original stiff white wraps with Studio 2 logo and black lettering, gray on back cover. Exhibition catalog of the Fotomuseum München for the André Gelpke exhibition, part of an exhibition series presenting some 40 photographs of contemporary photographers. Description of the series printed on a loose leaf laid in. Stamps of previous owner, Elfriede Fischinger, on loose leaf and inside back cover.

Documentary of the Carnival Season 1978/79 in “The Gürzenich” building in Cologne. Created during the Carnival Season November 1978 to February 1979. Gelpke visited the weekend Carnival sessions, documenting and, in his brief text, compares some carnival customs to marching soldiers, e.g. the collective laughter prompted by the sound of a trombone, or the touching of each other on command. Customs that scared the northern German photographer.

It is not a series about Carnival in the Rhineland,says Gelpke, but rather a cause or possibility to speak of a certain social class, that spots every opportunity to gain influence in order to capitalize. Gelpke captures the movement and gatherings in between the highlights of the carnival session, on stairways, behind curtains, small groups, etc. With biographical notes and exhibition history at rear. Slight small bend of cover.
Near fine condition. Softcover. (50937) $95