Laura Cohen At Paris Photo 2019

LAURA COHEN

ESPACIOS DE REFLEXIÓN Y FANTASÍA Curated by Emma Cecilia García Krisnky

Balneario From Morelos to MichoacĂĄn to Puebla, central Mexico is home to hundreds of balnearios, old-time spas and recreational bathhouses that were built around naturally occurring thermal waters. Some go back hundreds of years; others are more modern. During their heyday in the 1940s through 1960s, they were places dedicated to recuperation, pleasure, and family activity.

Today, these establishments—so representative of the modern, socially progressive Mexico I knew as a child growing up—have been largely forgotten. Environments that were once full of the sounds of fun and frolic are now silent. The pools are empty, the businesses have been abandoned.

In these photos, I return to the balnearios I remember from so long ago. What I discover are locations in states of ruin and decay, mere remnants of the elegance and promise that they once held.

Still, even in their debilitated condition they are places of beauty and intrigue. As I document, I wonder if the pleasures that I thought occurred in them were products of my imagination. Every place has its own fantasy.

Laura Cohen This project was funded by a grant from FONCA*

Laura Cohen Silla Boca Chica Balnerario series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen Parasol Balneario Elba Balnerario series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen Alberca Hotel Caleta Balnerario series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen Terraza Hotel Caleta Balnearios series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen Cisne Las Termas Balnerario series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen Tumbonas Las Termas Balnerario series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen Terraza Casa John Wayne Balnerario series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen Casa Los Cuatro Vientos Balnerario series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen Cantamar 14 Balnerario series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen Alberca con barandal Hotel Caleta Balnerario series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen Balneario Las Termas Balnerario series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen Escalera Las Termas Balnerario series 2019 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20�

Laura Cohen, Mexico City, 1956.

Studied photography at Rhode Island School of Design lobtaining a degree in photography in 1980. Atends her first year of industrial design in the School of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology in the years of 1975-76. She began her professional career in 1980.

She has several solo an group exhibitions, among these are: The Second Symposium Mexican Photography in 1981, 17 Artists of Today at the Museo Tamayo in 1985, Women in Mexico presented in New York in 1990, A Shadow Born of Earth, exposed in several U.S. cities in 1993, Material World in 1998 in Austin Texas has expueso twice in Holland Photofestival of Noorderlicht in 1999 and 2001. Solos in PhotoEspaña in 1999, Galería OMR in Mexico City in the years 1987.1992 and 1997. Had a retrospective called The Sense of Order in the Centro de la Imagen in Mexico City in 2005.

Her work is part of private art collections and museums as Jumex Collection, Televisa, Sprint Coorporation, Wellesley University, Lehigh University. Enter the National System of Art Creators in 2000 until 2006. Teaches at the Centro de la Imagen and in her own studio. Became tutor to the FONCA for Young Artists in 1998 and also received a scholarship by the FONCA joint venture in 1999. She has worked as a photographer for clients such as Banamex, Cultural Arts Center Contemporary Jumex Foundation, ISSSTE, LG, Jaguar, Land Rover, Johnnie Walker, Avon, Casa Cuervo, among others.

Some of her commercial work includes products, fashion, architecture and people. Laura Cohen’s photographs are also part of many publications. Among which LEAKAGE Debroise MEXICAN Olivier, Olivier Debroise POOLS, Luna Cornea # 16, WONDERLAND Noorderlight Photofestival, created worlds Noorderlight Photofestival, stand out.

Specializing in contemporary photography since 2009 and incorporating the representation and exhibition of international photographers in 2012, Patricia Conde Gallery is currently the only Mexican gallery focused on promoting diverse photographic practices.

Patricia Conde GalerĂ­a has become a reference of Mexican photography around the world for its selection of represented artists, the solidity in its proposals and concepts, the originality in its creative development, as well as for keeping an important legacy of modern photographers capturing Mexican scene.

The Gallery opens a dialogue about technique, questioning its roots, limits and projections, emphasizing on the influence that modern Mexican photographers have had on contemporaries, using their sources of inspiration to express current concepts.

General Juan Cano #68 San Miguel Chapultepec, CDMX + 52 (55) 5290-6345 / 46 info@patriciacondegaleria.com