© Andres Serrano / Galerie Nathalie Obadia – Old Glory I & II

Prior to a major showcase next month at Fotografiska‘s outpost in New York City, private co-working space NeueHouse Hollywood will host a preview of lensman Andres Serrano‘s photography exhibition Infamous on the premises. Opening today, it’s a photographic exploration of a hot topic in American society today—the long history of its deeply rooted racism. Throughout his illustrious career, Serrano has directly confronted the zeitgeist with a series of provocative works, and in this display of over 30 photographs of racist artefacts, he continues to hold a mirror to the nation’s recent, dark past. Since last year Serrano began buying and photographing objects with a sense of infamy attached, ranging from Ku Klux Klan hoods, consumer products depicting caricatures of Black people, violent documentary photographs, and more.

Interestingly, most objects were previously owned and purchased directly from fellow Americans. By creating a visual catalogue of evidence that includes reductive and virulent portrayals of Black Americans, the artist challenges viewers to confront America’s racist history and consider its influence on culture and society today. The exhibition text has been authored by Hamza Walker, director of LAXART, an independent nonprofit art space in Los Angeles (on through Tue – Oct 6). Access to the show is by appointment only with time slots from 11am until 2pm and 4pm until 7pm. Tickets can be booked online, and if you visit on Thursdays and Saturdays, it includes a complimentary individually packaged alcoholic beverage and light bite to be enjoyed on the terrace of NeueHouse Hollywood’s restaurant. All ticket profits will be donated to Black Artist Fund, an initiative which gives money directly to Black artists to combat systemic inequity in art.

NeueHouse Hollywood
6121 Sunset Boulevard (Hollywood)
Los Angeles, CA 90028

© Andres Serrano / Galerie Nathalie Obadia – Cotton Picker Corn Whiskey