Edward Hopper is one of the most revered American artists of the 20th century. His most famous painting is Nighthawks (1942), which depicts a late-night diner from the perspective of a viewer looking in at the customers, who appear lost in thought. The piece is a poignant exploration of isolation and loneliness, and it still entrances people today. It only takes a quick internet search to bring up news articles of walk-in 3D versions of Hopper’s masterpiece, or the opportunity to breakfast in a recreation of the restaurant. This is an artist whose legacy is as relevant as ever.
Hopper has had a huge influence on Clarissa Bonet’s (b. 1986) photography. She captures real-life and imaginary scenes in the style of the painter’s canvases. City Space was shot entirely in Chicago, although Bonet never directly references the location by name. Its crosswalks, skyscrapers and architecture are the studio for these meticulously staged photographs. Audiences rarely catch a glimpse of her subjects’ faces; instead, individuals are depicted from behind, or bathed in shadow. Bonet’s isolated figures highlight a tension between physical proximity and the emotional distance felt by many residents living in metropolises.
The artist says: “I use city streets as a dynamic backdrop for the subtle, often overlooked dramas of daily life that play out in a city’s planned and built urban spaces.” The images cast new light on traditional street photography, carefully recreating sponta- neous everyday moments and capturing the essence of a place. The result is a fascinating portrait of how people interact with a bustling city, become part of it or, often, lose themselves within it.
Clarissa Bonet: City Space is at La Galerie Rouge, Paris until 26 July: lagalerierouge.paris
Image credits:
Clarissa Bonet, Perpetual Shadow, 2015 Â © Clarissa Bonet. Courtesy La Galerie Rouge.
Clarissa Bonet, Proximity, 2014 Â © Clarissa Bonet. Courtesy La Galerie Rouge.
Clarissa Bonet, Trajectory, 2018 Â © Clarissa Bonet. Courtesy La Galerie Rouge.
