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FotoFocus Exhibit Spotlights Historic Venue, Club Clau

Photos Courtesy of Andrew Van Sickle

Cincinnati Pop Artist, Andrew Van Sickle, will curate an official FotoFocus photo exhibition spotlighting Cincinnati historic nightclub, Club Clau, at the Pendleton Annex Gallery (1310 Pendleton Street, 45202), September 22 - October 30, 2021 (Wed-Sat, Noon - 5:00 p.m.). The exhibition will allow attendees to experience the internationally-renowned downtown Cincinnati nightclub that attracted hordes of socialites and celebrities to Over the Rhine (OTR) 2003-2004. Van Sickle snapped more than 1,800 images during the venue’s 18-month-run. The exhibition will feature 60 black & white images of the club culture, as well as some color photography. Select images from the exhibition will be available to acquire.

“People really didn’t decorate Cincinnati bars and restaurants with art prior to Clau. That was the challenge — to reflect back to the NYC scene of the 80s and 90s, the studio 54, Mudd Club, etc., where they had pioneers like Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat bringing art and nightlife together,” added Van Sickle. “I saw Club Clau as a unique opportunity to capture that again, but in Cincinnati.”

Clau found success when digital cameras were on pause and cell phone cameras were just taking off. Van Sickle intentionally chose to use Black & White disposable cameras to capture the majority of photos that will make up the exhibition. Clau’s management didn’t lean on traditional marketing techniques such as beer signs and radio promotions, they worked much like film directors to creatively produce experiential events for visitors that eventually led to Condé Nast’s Traveler magazine to recognize it as one of the Top 30 nightclubs in the world in 2004.

The Annex Gallery will host an Exhibit Opening party on Final Friday, September 24, 2021, with a private party 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., then will be open to the public 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. sl