Lee Friedlander: Signs

Jul 11–Aug 17, 2019

The exhibition examines the artist’s fascination with texts in the American landscape.

Gallery
Jul 11–Aug 17, 2019
Press release
More About:
Lee Friedlander

Fraenkel Gallery is pleased to present Lee Friedlander: SIGNS, an exhibition examining the five-decade long obsession of this highly influential photographer. Since the early 1960s, Friedlander has focused on the signs that inscribe the American landscape, from hand-lettered ads to storefront windows to massive billboards. On view from July 11 through August 17, 2019, the exhibition is accompanied by a 112-page hardcover book published by Fraenkel Gallery.

Black and white photograph of several people standing outside of a photography studio
Newark, New Jersey, 1962
gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches (sheet) [50.8 x 40.6 cm]

Made in New York, San Francisco, and dozens of cities and small towns in between, Friedlander’s photographs record milk prices, cola ads, neon lights, road signs, graffiti, and movie marquees. Depicting these texts with precision and sly humor, Friedlander’s approach to America transcribes a sort of found poetry of commerce and desire. A large majority of works in the exhibition will be shown for the first time.

Black-and-white photograph showing detail of a sign with the text open pizza
New Haven, Connecticut, 1980
gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

Also on view will be a group of 16 early Friedlander prints, made on the road in the 1970s, on travels across the United States.

Works on View

Color image of black and white photographs on grey gallery wall with person viewing the work
Black and white photograph of building exterior with wooden cutout of women posing seductively with chalkboard covering mid section
Black and white photograph of building exterior depicting a movie poster and waitress standing on table looking outward
Color image of black and white photographs on grey gallery wall
Black and white photograph of car in garage with decal on side reading "signs"
Color image of black and white photographs on grey gallery wall
Black and white photograph of storefront exterior with multiple overlapping signs in window
Black and white photograph of storefront exterior with man in button up shirt out front
Color image of black and white photographs on grey gallery walls
Black and white photograph of signage taken from the exterior with reflection
Color image of black and white photographs on grey gallery walls
Black and white photograph of storefront exterior with dog sitting patiently looking at entrance
Color image of black and white photographs on grey gallery walls
Black and white photograph of a hand painted sign with the text reading "dancing"
Color image of black and white photographs on grey gallery walls
Black and white photograph of a wooden fence with painted text
Color image of black and white photographs on grey gallery walls
Black and white photograph of cacti and sign reading "This is it!"
Black and white photograph of sign reading "Dead End" taken from interior of car with large dinosaur in empty desert in background

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About the Artist

Lee Friedlander (born 1934) began photographing in 1948. His work was included in the influential 1967 exhibition New Documents at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, curated by John Szarkowski. His many monographs include Self-Portrait; Cherry Blossom Time in Japan; Letters from the People; At Work; and Sticks and Stones, among others. One of the most important living photographers, Friedlander’s prints are held by major collections including the Art Institute of Chicago; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Museum of Modern Art, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; and Whitney Museum of American Art, among many others.

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