Michel Comte is among the most sought-after contemporary photographers. Working together with actors and models, musicians and artists of world renown, Comte − who was born in Zurich in 1954 − has created major icons of portrait and fashion photography. After being discovered by fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, Comte’s career enjoyed a meteoric rise. For more than 30 years now, this autodidact has accepted commissions from labels like Ungaro, Dolce & Gabbana, and Nespresso. This first large-scale exhibition illuminates Comte’s oeuvre as a whole, its themes ranging from the glamorous world of superstars and advertising to reportage from the world’s most impoverished regions. Despite its range, Comte’s work is consistently committed to an overarching aesthetic. In addition to featuring his photographs themselves, this retrospective sheds light on the production process of an image world that increasingly dominates our everyday lives.
Publication «Michel Comte 360°» With essays by Christian Brändle
Museum für Gestaltung Zürich and NRW Forum Düsseldorf (Ed.) Available in G/E/F, 400 illustrations, CHF 52
Program accompanying the exhibition
Discussion at the exhibition:
Michel Comte – 30 Years of Photography Wednesday, 16 September 2009, 7.30 pm, Ausstellungsstrasse 60, Lecture Hall
Michel Comte in discussion with Christian Brändle
In German
Discussion at the exhibition: The Path toward the Perfect Fashion Picture Wednesday, 11 November 2009, 7.30 pm, Ausstellungsstrasse 60 Sithara Atasoy, editor in chief Bolero, Zurich
Sven Bänziger, photographer, Zurich/Paris
Ursula Knecht, owner Option model agency, Zurich
Chair: Romano Zerbini, CEO ewz.selection – Swiss Photo Award
Guided tours (in German)
September 2009
Wed
2.9.
6.30 pm
Angeli Sachs, Head of Exhibitions, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Sat
5.9.
7.30 pm
Long Night of the Zurich Museums: Christian Brändle, Director and curator of the exhibition, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Sat
5.9.
8.30 pm
Long Night of the Zurich Museums: Christian Brändle, Director and curator of the exhibition, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Sat
5.9.
9.30 pm
Long Night of the Zurich Museums: Angeli Sachs, Head of Exhibitions, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Sat
5.9.
10.30 pm
Long Night of the Zurich Museums: Françoise Krattinger, research associate, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Sat
5.9.
11.30 pm
Long Night of the Zurich Museums: Françoise Krattinger, research associate, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Sun
6.9.
2 pm
Barbara Junod, curator graphic collection, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
9.9.
6.30 pm
Angeli Sachs, Head of Exhibitions, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
16.9.
6.30 pm
Christian Brändle, Director and curator of the exhibition, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
23.9.
6.30 pm
Marilena Cipriano, exhibition coordinator, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
30.9.
6.30 pm
Françoise Krattinger, research associate, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
October 2009
Sun
4.10.
2 pm
Barbara Junod, curator graphic collection, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
7.10.
6.30 pm
Christian Brändle, Director and curator of the exhibition, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
14.10.
6.30 pm
Marilena Cipriano, exhibition coordinator, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
21.10
6.30 pm
Bernadette Mock, Head of Communications, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
28.10.
6.30 pm
Françoise Krattinger, research associate, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
November 2009
Sun
1.11.
2 pm
Bernadette Mock, Head of Communications, Museum für Gestaltung
Wed
4.11.
6.30 pm
Angeli Sachs, Head of Exhibitions, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
11.11.
6.30 pm
Christian Brändle, Director and curator of the exhibition, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
18.11.
6.30 pm
Françoise Krattinger, research associate, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
25.11.
6.30 pm
Barbara Junod, curator graphic collection, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
December 2009
Wed
2.12.
6.30 pm
Bernadette Mock, Head of Communications, Museum für Gestaltung
Sun
6.12.
2 pm
Barbara Junod, curator graphic collection, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Wed
9.12.
6.30 pm
Bernadette Mock, Head of Communications, Museum für Gestaltung
Wed
16.12
6.30 pm
Christian Brändle, Director and curator of the exhibition, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
