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Richard Kern


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Richard Kern

Richard Kern is an American artist who has made significant contributions to the world of avant-garde film and photography. He is known for his unique approach to art-making, which involves subverting traditional structures and exploring themes of sexuality, violence, and the human psyche. Kern's work is often controversial and provocative, challenging viewers to confront their own assumptions and biases. Kern began his career as a publisher and editor of the zine Business of Food, which explored the intersection of food and culture. He later turned his attention to film and photography, creating a body of work that is both visually stunning and intellectually engaging. His films often feature non-professional actors and improvised dialogue, creating a sense of rawness and authenticity that is rare in mainstream cinema. Kern's photography is equally powerful, capturing intimate moments of human connection and vulnerability. His images are often dark and moody, with a focus on the human body and its relationship to the environment. Kern's work has been exhibited at some of the most prestigious art institutions in the world, including the New Museum, P.S.1, and MoMA PS1 in New York City. Overall, Richard Kern is a visionary artist who has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the world of film and photography. His work is both challenging and rewarding, forcing viewers to confront their own assumptions and biases while also celebrating the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

Richard Kern, avant-garde film, photography, sexuality, violence, human psyche, controversial, provocative, non-professional actors, improvised dialogue, rawness, authenticity, human connection, vulnerability, dark, moody, New Museum, P.S.1, MoMA PS1

Daniel White

CITATION : "Daniel White. 'Richard Kern.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=286363 (Accessed on June 19, 2025)"

206097
Richard Kern

Richard Kern is an American artist known for his multimedia approach to art-making, mainly focusing on avant-garde film. He is known for subverting traditional film making structures and has worked with a variety of musicians and performers to create unforgettable visuals. He first gained notoriety in the early 1980s as publisher and editor of the zine Business of Food. Kern's best-known works include The Wrong Kind of Life (1989), My Nightmare (1990), The Sewing Circle (1994), and X is Y (1996). Kern has also published several books of photography including NYC Goofy and Fashion Therapy (2000). His unique multimedia art-making has been exhibited at the New Museum, P.S.1, and MoMA PS1 in New York City.

Richard Kern, artist, avant-garde film, multimedia, art-making, zine, Business of Food, Wrong Kind of Life, My Nightmare, The Sewing Circle, X is Y, NYC Goofy, Fashion Therapy, New Museum, P.S.1, MoMA PS1.

Mei Wang


Richard Kern Definition
Richard Kern on Design+Encyclopedia

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