Gregor Törzs, Muranium - Fantôme
from 12 pm to 9 pm
https://www.thephair.com/en/homepage_en/
On the occasion of THE PHAIR 2025, we present an extraordinary juxtaposition of three artists who, through their exploration of light, composition, and materiality, establish a connection across centuries: George Hoyningen-Huene, Bastiaan Woudt, and Gregor Törzs. Although separated by a century, these three artists are closely connected through their exploration of classical themes and shared art historical references. Their works reflect the evolution of black-and-white photography—from classical elegance to modern, experimental approaches and the refined perfection of analog printing techniques.
George Hoyningen-Huene (1900–1968) was one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. He revolutionized fashion and portrait photography with his pioneering use of light and classical compositions. His iconic black-and-white images for Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Harper’s Bazaar seamlessly blend modernism, neoclassicism, and surrealism, creating a timeless aesthetic that continues to resonate today. His compositions resemble sculptural paintings, where light and shadow are meticulously crafted. Currently, a major museum exhibition at the Palazzo Reale in Milan is dedicated to his work, highlighting his enduring significance in the history of photography.
Bastiaan Woudt (born 1987), a leading contemporary photographer, draws inspiration from classical aesthetics, including that of Hoyningen-Huene, and reinterprets them through a modern, minimalist visual language. His black-and-white photographs, often abstract and sculptural in nature, play with graphic contrasts and meditative depth. Influenced by masters such as Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, and Hoyningen-Huene himself, Woudt has developed a highly distinctive artistic style. His latest series, Echoes from Beyond, makes its Italian debut at THE PHAIR 2025. In this body of work, he pushes the boundaries of art and photography by integrating artificial intelligence into his creative process. By merging analog photography with AI-generated elements, Woudt creates an innovative visual language that transcends traditional photography. His works exist at the intersection of human creativity and machine learning, offering a visionary perspective on the future of the medium.
Gregor Törzs (born 1970) enriches this artistic dialogue not only with his striking still lifes—clearly inspired by classical still life traditions and incorporating elements such as lighting, composition, and symbolism—but also with his exceptional craftsmanship. Toerzs is deeply engaged with traditional photographic techniques and meticulously produces his prints by hand, often using the platinum-palladium process—one of the most refined and enduring printing techniques, also employed for Hoyningen-Huene’s prints. His striking still lifes, featuring intricate subjects such as cicada wings, captivate with their delicate detail and surreal quality. The choice of materials—frequently ultra-thin, fragile Japanese Gampi paper—enhances the tactile depth of his works, giving them an almost sculptural presence. Beyond the flawless staging of his subjects, it is the technical mastery of his prints that elevates his photographs into unique art objects.
This curated exhibition highlights the diversity of photographic expression, bridging the past and present. The exhibited works of these three artists create a multi-layered dialogue on the evolution of photography—from the timeless elegance of black-and-white imagery to contemporary experimental approaches and the masterful execution of analog printing. Visitors are invited to explore the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation—a fascinating convergence of history, the present, and the future of photography.
