By JRS
The "Hotel" Series by Erwin Olaf
Through March 20, 2010, Chelsea’s Hasted Hunt Kraeutler gallery will be displaying the latest exhibition by Dutch sensation Erwin Olaf. “Hotel, Dawn & Dusk” is a retrospective look at the photographer from 2004–2009, and focuses on his attention to his subjects at their most intimate.
The “Hotel” series looks at vulnerable subjects in various states of undress in seedy, retro hotel rooms. Scorned lovers, forgotten companions, and protagonists have all taken up residence in these rooms, from Raleigh, North Carolina to Kyoto, Japan, and all leave something to be desired. One can find solace in their loneliness, or at least satisfaction in not being them.
The “Dawn” series offers a whimsical and somewhat sterile look at a Victorian household with twiggy model types looking like they just walked off the runway at last month’s Paris couture shows.
Both the “Grief” and the “Rain” series look like an early Matthew Weiner storyboard for a Mad Men episode.
"The Mother," 2009, from the "Dawn" series
"The Boardroom," 2004, for the "Rain" series
"Caroline," 2007, from the "Grief" series
