Photographer Duane Michals, speaking at the Canal Foundation, shares that his photographs are a reflection of his own thoughts.
In the heart of Madrid, Duane Michals, a 93-year-old visionary photographer, invites you to step into an alternate reality. His retrospective, Duane Michals. The Photographer of the Invisible, now on display at the Fundación Canal from May 28 to August 24, invites you to probe the unseen and the intuitive.
With over 150 pieces, this extensive exhibit captures Michals' creative journey, from his early series to his most recent works crafted in 2025. The show concludes with an intimate collection of videos that delve into the artist's creative process. Michals, a fine arts alumnus, draws inspiration not just from photographers, but from painters such as Rene Magritte, Giorgio de Chirico, and Balthus, who he contends freed him from the photographic conventions that shackled others.
The section titled "Intuition" features portraits of notable figures, often infused with natural light and the environment, resulting in prose portraits that feel more like written vignettes than static images. Renowned among these are the series dedicated to Rene Magritte, captured in August 1965, during their encounter.
Michals' portrait of his childhood friend, Andy Warhol, is noteworthy, as the photographer deliberately conceals Warhol's face, an image that hints at a more complex relationship between the two icons of art and pop culture. Michals' opinion of Warhol is less flattering, describing him as a boy without personality.
The exhibit also includes portraits of film director Pier Paolo Pasolini, Marcel Duchamp, and Tilda Swinton, capturing various facets of their personas. The latter's androgynous character is emphasized in Mr. Back and Forth, showcasing her in a striped male suit, tie worn backward, and a handheld mirror reflecting her enigmatic visage.
Michals' conceptual photography was subversive in the 1960s, when photojournalism reigned supreme. His images were innovative, defying academic restrictions, and carrying a clear narrative intention. Writing on photographs, a revolutionary approach at the time, was his preferred method of adding layers to his work.
The exhibition layout is designed to create an intimate connection between the viewer and the artwork, using small black and white images and light boxes. The reduced size and format demands closer inspection, allowing for a more personal encounter with Michals' profoundly introspective oeuvre.
Death, human condition, spirituality, dreams, and fear are recurring themes in Michals' work, inviting contemplation and introspection. His childlike, tender gaze, a trait shared with figures such as René Magritte, Giorgio de Chirico, and Balthus, permeates his photographs. Alice, from Lewis Carroll's works, guides viewers into a dreamlike realm where the child in us all is awakened. Michals applies this sensibility to his iconic piece, The Grandfather Goes to Heaven, staging a peaceful scene of a grandfather's transcendence, seamlessly blending reality and fantasy.
Michals is not only a poetic storyteller but also an activist, unapologetically addressing social injustices such as racism and advocating for the freedom to love. The "Indignation" section of the exhibit clearly illustrates his lifelong commitment to these causes. The poignant visual power of The Unfortunate Man, from 1976, underscores the plight of a man denied the freedom to show affection due to societal oppression.
The final section, "Revelation," offers personal glimpses into Michals' life, as he shares intimate family stories through photographs and handwritten texts. Aesthetic and therapeutic exercises such as the series The House That Once Was Home, where Michals superimposes childhood memories with current photos, serves as a poignant exploration of memory and family dynamics.
Do not miss this rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the mysterious, poetic, and profound world of Duane Michals. Let his photographs challenge your perceptions, evoke emotions, and ignite your imagination. Visit the Fundación Canal, Mateo Inurria, 2, from May 28 to August 24. Opening hours are 11 am to 8 pm, with a shortened schedule of 11 am to 3 pm on Wednesdays.
- Duane Michals, an alumnus of fine arts, often draws inspiration not just from photographers but also from painters such as Rene Magritte, Giorgio de Chirico, and Balthus, who he believes freed him from photographic conventions and contributed to his personal growth and creative journey.
- The exhibit concludes with an intimate collection of videos that delve into the artist's creative process, offering a unique insight into his average day, pearls of wisdom, and the educational impact these painters and other influential figures had on his self-development.
