(C) Photo CNAC/MNAM, Dist. RMNPhoto credits: Georges Meguerditchian, Jacques Faujour, Phillipe Migeat, Adam Rzepka.
Constantin Brancusi the Photographer features a selection of 30 modern prints from the original photographs taken by the artist. At his death in 1957, Brancusi left behind over 560 negatives and more than 1,000 photographs taken by himself. The images show the intimate space of his studio and illustrate aspects of his creation.
According to a widely circulated anecdote, Brancusi decided to photograph his works while attending a photo session during which he noticed that a bronze sculpture had lost its shine. When asked what happened to the work in question, the photographer candidly replied that, in order to get a better shot, he had to diminish the brightness of the bronze by powdering it. The artist threw the photographer out, and from that moment on began to photograph his works himself. In 1921, Man Ray, famous for his contribution to avant-garde photography, became his teacher.
Researchers have indicated that the artist used photography to document his creation: the images record the definitive work, but are also a means of objectifying its various stages of execution. Another category of photographs that speak about the sculptor are the self-portraits in the studio. Whether at work or pensively seated in front of the camera, the artist constantly relates his portrait to his oeuvre.
Likewise, his work as a photographer is intimately linked to his work as a sculptor, the latter providing the motifs, the pretext, and the inspiration for the most forceful of his images.
The photographs are on loan from the National Museum of Art of Romania. 
During the exhibition, we are screening the documentary Brancusi (1996, 77 min) directed by Cornel Mihalache. The documentary has been previously shown at the Canadian Film Institute in Ottawa (2005), the Museum of Art of Romania in Bucharest (2006) and the Society of Portuguese Language in Lisbon (2007).
Cornel Mihalache is one of the best Romanian documentary filmmakers, winner of several national and international awards. His filmography includes: De Craciun ne-am luat portia de libertate - Grand Prix, International Film Festival, Tampere (1991); The Sculptor (Brancusi) , 3rd Prize at the Art Film Festival, Trencianske Teplice (1995); Babu - cazul Gh. Ursu - Grand Prix, International Anthropological Documentary Film Festival, Sibiu (1996).
Special event Tuesday 5 May 2009, 7 - 9 pm
Presentation by Sanda Miller: Brancusi and his Friends, Lovers, Dealers and Collectors & New work by boyleANDshaw: Maiastra, Please Sing!
When: 22 April - 13 May 2009
Opening times: Mon - Fri 12.00 - 19.00; Sat 25 & Sun 26 April 10.00 - 17.00
Where: Romanian Cultural Institute, 1 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH
Admission: free.
