A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia, titled Tokyo, dated 1994.
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia, titled Tokyo, dated 1994.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

David Zwirner is pleased to present an exhibition of work by celebrated American photographer Philip-Lorca diCorcia (b. 1951), on view at the gallery’s Hong Kong location.

The show will mark the artist’s first solo exhibition in Greater China and his sixth with the gallery.

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Image: Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Tokyo, 1994 (detail)

Dates
September 10October 12, 2019
Opening Reception
Tuesday 10 September, 6–8 PM
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia, titled Marilyn, 28 years old, Las Vegas, Nevada, $30, dated 1990 to 1992.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Marilyn, 28 years old, Las Vegas, Nevada, $30, 1990-1992
Chromogenic print
15 1/4 x 22 1/2 inches (38.7 x 57.2 cm)

The first solo exhibition in Hong Kong by Philip-Lorca diCorcia spans the breadth of his influential career. On view will be photographs from series including East of Eden (2008–ongoing), Heads (2000–2001), Hustlers (1990–1992), and Streetwork (1993–1999), as well as a selection of his Polaroid photographs and early images from the 1980s. 


Born in 1951 in Hartford, Connecticut, diCorcia has described his creative path from a perspective of instability and resistance. “Art is not a career for me,—it never really was,” he said in 2015. “This romantic vision of an artist, the one that I grew up with in which you follow a sort of strange sensibility or your heart, mind, or muse … there is no such thing anymore.” 


Part of a generation of photographers determined to test the boundaries of the medium, diCorcia is known for images that are at once documentary and theatrically staged, operating in a space between fact and fiction. According to Arthur Lubow, writing in The New York Times, “When Mr. diCorcia, then an unknown photographer, dropped off his portfolio at the Museum of Modern Art in 1983, the curators waged an informal bet over whether the photographs were staged. Even connoisseurs couldn’t be sure.”

In conversation with Christoph Rabbit on the occasion of a major European retrospective in 2013, the artist explains how his work draws “from literature, from film. From whatever anyone who grew up in the United States after World War II sees as important…. And you don’t think about [photography] necessarily in terms of how to express narrative or anything like that. It’s more about the way you can shift people’s perspective and their perception of things.”


 Viewed together, the works in this exhibition demonstrate the visual and conceptual depth of diCorcia’s approach, underscoring the continuing relevance of his images today. “I’m interested in the entanglement of clear language and ambiguous feelings,” he reflected in 2013. “When you structure an image so carefully and deliberately that the meaning and the narrative content are ambiguous, it creates something that is actually very true to life.”

A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia, titled W, September 2000, #6, dated 2000.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

W, September 2000, #6, 2000
Pigment Print
32 x 42 inches (81.3 x 106.7 cm)
The cover of a book, titled Philip-Lorca diCorcia.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia
Texts by Katharina Dohm, Geoff Dyer, and Christoph Ribbat

Produced in close collaboration with the artist for a major travelling retrospective that debuted at the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt in 2013, this catalogue explores significant series by diCorcia, including those featured in his upcoming exhibition in Hong Kong. The book includes texts by curator Katharina Dohm and writer Geoff Dyer, as well as an interview with the artist by the author and professor Christoph Ribbat.

Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
Installation view of the exhibition, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, at David Zwirner in Hong Kong, dated 2019.
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia, titled Alice, dated 1988.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Alice, 1988
Chromogenic print
Image: 16 x 23 1/8 inches (40.6 x 58.7 cm) Framed: 24 5/8 x 30 3/4 inches (62.5 x 78.1 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Hartford (Mario, 1980), dated 1980.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Hartford (Mario, 1980), 1980
Chromogenic print
Image: 16 1/4 x 22 5/8 inches (41.3 x 57.5 cm) Framed: 24 3/4 x 29 3/4 inches (62.9 x 75.6 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Max, dated 1983.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Max, 1983
Chromogenic print
Image: 16 1/2 x 23 1/4 inches (41.9 x 59.1 cm) Framed: 24 1/2 x 30 3/4 inches (62.2 x 78.1 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Mary & Babe, dated 1982.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Mary & Babe, 1982
Chromogenic print
Image: 17 3/8 x 22 3/4 inches (44.1 x 57.8 cm) Framed: 26 3/8 x 31 inches (67 x 78.7 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Catherine, dated 1981.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Catherine, 1981
Chromogenic print
Image: 14 3/4 x 22 3/4 inches (37.5 x 57.8 cm) Framed: 23 1/2 x 30 3/8 inches (59.7 x 77.2 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Head #4, dated 2001.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Head #4, 2001
Chromogenic print
Framed: 49 1/2 x 61 1/2 inches (125.7 x 156.2 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Head #7, dated 2001.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Head #7, 2001
Chromogenic print
Framed: 49 1/2 x 61 1/2 inches (125.7 x 156.2 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Head #23, dated 2001.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Head #23, 2001
Chromogenic print
Framed: 49 1/2 x 61 1/2 inches (125.7 x 156.2 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Mexico City, dated 1998.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Mexico City, 1998
Chromogenic print
Image: 24 5/8 x 37 5/8 inches (62.5 x 95.6 cm) Framed: 33 1/8 x 46 inches (84.1 x 116.8 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Calcutta, dated 1998.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Calcutta, 1998
Chromogenic print
Image: 24 3/4 x 37 inches (62.9 x 94 cm) Framed: 34 3/4 x 46 1/4 inches (88.3 x 117.5 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Rome, dated 1996.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Rome, 1996
Chromogenic print
Image: 26 1/2 x 38 inches (67.3 x 96.5 cm) Framed: 34 3/8 x 47 1/8 inches (87.3 x 119.7 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled New York, dated 1997.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

New York, 1997
Chromogenic print
Image: 24 x 37 inches (61 x 94 cm) Framed: 33 1/8 x 46 inches (84.1 x 116.8 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Tokyo, dated 1994.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Tokyo, 1994
Chromogenic print
Image: 25 1/4 x 38 inches (64.1 x 96.5 cm) Framed: 33 1/8 x 46 inches (84.1 x 116.8 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled London, dated 1995.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

London, 1994
Chromogenic print
Image: 27 1/2 x 37 3/4 inches (69.9 x 95.9 cm) Framed: 33 1/8 x 46 inches (84.1 x 116.8 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Tokyo, dated 1998.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Tokyo, 1998
Chromogenic print
Image: 25 1/4 x 37 1/2 inches (64.1 x 95.3 cm) Framed: 33 1/8 x 46 inches (84.1 x 116.8 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled New York, dated 1998.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

New York, 1998
Chromogenic print
Image: 25 1/8 x 36 5/8 inches (63.7 x 93 cm) Framed: 35 7/8 x 47 3/8 inches (91.1 x 120.3 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Lacy, dated 2008.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Lacy, 2008
Inkjet print
Framed: 41 5/8 x 61 1/2 inches (105.7 x 156.2 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled The Palace, dated 2015.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

The Palace, 2015
Inkjet print
Framed: 41 1/4 x 50 3/4 inches (104.8 x 128.9 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled The Hamptons, dated 2008.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

The Hamptons, 2008
Inkjet print
Framed: 41 5/8 x 61 5/8 inches (105.7 x 156.5 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Eddie Anderson, 21 years old, Houston, Texas, $20, dated 1990 to 1992.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Eddie Anderson, 21 years old, Houston, Texas, $20, 1990-1992
Chromogenic print
Image: 23 1/2 x 35 1/2 inches (59.7 x 90.2 cm) Framed: 31 3/4 x 43 3/8 inches (80.6 x 110.2 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled André Smith, 28 years old, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, $30, dated 1990-1992.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

André Smith, 28 years old, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, $30, 1990-1992
Chromogenic print
Image: 23 5/8 x 34 1/2 inches (60 x 87.6 cm) Framed: 31 3/4 x 42 3/8 inches (80.6 x 107.6 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Ralph Smith, 21 years old, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, $25, dated 1990 to 1992.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Ralph Smith, 21 years old, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, $25, 1990-1992
Chromogenic print
Image: 23 3/4 x 36 1/4 inches (60.3 x 92.1 cm) Framed: 31 7/8 x 44 1/2 inches (81 x 113 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Brent Booth, 21 years old, Des Moines, Iowa, $30, dated 1990 to 1992.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Brent Booth, 21 years old, Des Moines, Iowa, $30, 1990-1992
Chromogenic print
Image: 23 5/8 x 36 1/4 inches (60 x 92.1 cm) Framed: 31 7/8 x 44 1/4 inches (81 x 112.4 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Marilyn, 28 years old, Las Vegas, Nevada, $30, dated 1990 to 1992.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Marilyn, 28 years old, Las Vegas, Nevada, $30, 1990-1992
Chromogenic print
Image: 23 1/2 x 36 1/4 inches (59.7 x 92.1 cm) Framed: 31 7/8 x 44 1/2 inches (81 x 113 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Mike Vincetti, 24 years old, New York, New York, $30, dated 1990 to 1992.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Mike Vincetti, 24 years old, New York, New York, $30, 1990-1992
Chromogenic print
Image: 23 3/4 x 35 7/8 inches (60.3 x 91.1 cm) Framed: 31 7/8 x 44 1/8 inches (81 x 112.1 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled Tim Morgan Jr., 21 years old, Los Angeles, California, $25 / Joe Egure, 18 years old, Los Angeles, California, $25, dated 1990-1992.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Tim Morgan Jr., 21 years old, Los Angeles, California, $25 / Joe Egure, 18 years old, Los Angeles, California, $25, 1990-1992
Chromogenic print
Image: 23 5/8 x 36 1/8 inches (60 x 91.8 cm) Framed: 31 3/4 x 44 1/4 inches (80.6 x 112.4 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled W, March 2000, #12, dated 2000.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

W, March 2000, #12, 2000
Archival pigment print
Image: 31 1/2 x 39 1/2 inches (80 x 100.3 cm) Framed: 39 x 49 inches (99.1 x 124.5 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled W, November 2003, #12, dated 2003.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

W, November 2003, #12, 2003
Archival pigment print
Image: 32 x 42 inches (81.3 x 106.7 cm) Framed: 39 x 49 inches (99.1 x 124.5 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled W, September 2000, #6, dated 2000.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

W, September 2000, #6, 2000
Archival pigment print
Image: 32 x 42 inches (81.3 x 106.7 cm) Framed: 39 x 49 inches (99.1 x 124.5 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled W, September 1999, #13, dated 1999.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

W, September 1999, #13, 1999
Archival pigment print
Image: 32 x 42 inches (81.3 x 106.7 cm) Framed: 39 x 49 inches (99.1 x 124.5 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled W, November 2004, #4, dated 2004.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

W, November 2004, #4, 2004
Archival pigment print
Image: 32 x 50 inches (81.3 x 127 cm) Framed: 39 1/8 x 57 inches (99.4 x 144.8 cm)
A photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia titled W, September 1997, #5, dated 1997.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

W, September 1997, #5, 1997
Archival pigment print
Image: 32 x 42 inches (81.3 x 106.7 cm) Framed: 39 x 49 inches (99.1 x 124.5 cm)
An untitled photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia, not dated.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Untitled, n.d.
Polaroid mounted on aluminum
Print: 3 3/8 x 4 1/4 inches (8.6 x 10.8 cm) Framed: 9 5/8 x 8 3/4 inches (24.4 x 22.2 cm)
An untitled photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia, not dated.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Untitled, n.d.
Polaroid mounted on aluminum
Print: 3 3/8 x 4 1/4 inches (8.6 x 10.8 cm) Framed: 9 5/8 x 8 3/4 inches (24.4 x 22.2 cm)
An untitled photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia, not dated.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Untitled, n.d.
Polaroid mounted on aluminum
Print: 3 3/8 x 4 1/4 inches (8.6 x 10.8 cm) Framed: 9 5/8 x 8 3/4 inches (24.4 x 22.2 cm)
An untitled photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia, not dated.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Untitled, n.d.
Polaroid mounted on aluminum
Print: 3 3/8 x 4 1/4 inches (8.6 x 10.8 cm) Framed: 9 5/8 x 8 3/4 inches (24.4 x 22.2 cm)
An untitled photograph by Philip-Lorca diCorcia, not dated.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Untitled, n.d.
Polaroid mounted on aluminum
Print: 3 3/8 x 4 1/4 inches (8.6 x 10.8 cm) Framed: 9 5/8 x 8 3/4 inches (24.4 x 22.2 cm)

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