Jan Saudek’s World is the title of an exposition recently opened at Ukraine House. The Czech photographer is known far outside his country as a master of whimsical composition with a definite touch of surrealism. He made his name in Ukraine comparatively recently. For the first time he caught the public eye several years ago, after his quality albums became available in Ukraine. Despite a certain decline in interest, the exposition has attracted numerous visitors. He has made his name, no doubt.
Jan Saudek is famous for his skill to effectively portray human flesh, raising it to the level of a symbol or turning it into a part of a dream one sleeps, a fantasy, or hallucination. Most of his works can be referred, albeit with some reservation, to erotic photography. Indeed, naked flesh, male, female, even children’s, is an invariable key element of Saudek’s world. In the twilight colors of his nineteenth century style composition are frozen fragile models. Many of his photos are frankly theatrical, yet it is not a two act play, exposing secret vices; a group portrait with characters clad in strange attire is invariably followed by a photo of the same persons, this time nude (like his Divine Comedy or Wedding Party). In general, Saudek’s techniques for shocking the public are rather simple, combining black-white, fragile-adult, dressed-nude extremes. Even his famous 1966 photo, Life, is built on the contrast of an infant’s body and a powerful male torso. Somehow, almost subconsciously, looking at the photo, one is reminded of a Benneton poster. Of course, the advertising industry has borrowed a great deal from Jan Saudek in terms of ideas and technique. Still, it seems that Saudek himself is secondary or if not secondary, at least lacking space. His tinted virtual realities look very attractive under the banks of lights in the hall. Visitors of all strata feel fine looking at these photos; they feel so very intellectual as Saudek offers them an opportunity for an intellectual dance; the rich explore them wishing they could hang a couple of photos on the wall at their mansion or office; the unsophisticated are glad to have a chance to savor beautifully arranged naked flesh.
Such is Saudek’s world. It has no problems and is open to one and all. In addition, one can receive a special message addressed exclusively to oneself. It is a voluptuous world filled with sensually intoxicating visions. It is like a small cozy room with softly playing music and Oriental aromas.
And nothing outside the walls of the room exists.
