BROOKLYN, NY.- Janet Borden, Inc. has recently opened CHRISTOPH NIEMANN: PHOTO GRAPHICS, the first exhibition with acclaimed illustrator Christoph Niemann. Niemann’s work for The New Yorker, The New York Times, and many other publications has made him world-renowned. Famous for his extraordinary drawings and sketches and prints, Niemann has been adding photography into his mix.

The interaction of photography with drawing and design expands all these disciplines’ possibilities. Niemann playfully subverts the documentary quality of photography, while expanding the documentary potential of a drawing. Neither is true and both are true.

How Niemann constructs new imagery and new ideas out of existing pictures is extraordinary. For “Like“ a very mundane swan on water is enfolded in a few drawn lines constructing the ubiquitous emoji. There is nothing inherent in a swan afloat to suggest that. But once you’ve seen it, it seems inevitable.

Many pieces have been made specially for the New York audience, including Sesame, East River, and Promenade. Niemann finds the appropriate twist on each New York reference.

Turning New York’s skyline into a Tetris puzzle acknowledges what we all recognize. In interviews, Niemann often refers to the time and the practice that his work demands; as viewers, we perceive the joke instantly. Try to fit in. Welcome to New York.

Traffic Pong, a compellingly watchable video piece, will play continuously.

Christoph Niemann (born 1970) is an artist, author, and animator. His work appears regu- larly on the covers of The New Yorker, National Geographic and The New York Times Magazine. Christoph Niemann’s art has been subject to numerous museum retrospectives. He has drawn live from the Venice Art Biennale, the Olympic Games in London, and he has sketched the New York City Marathon — while actually running it.

Janet Borden, Inc.
CHRISTOPH NIEMANN: PHOTO GRAPHICS
February 29th, 2024 - March 30th, 2024