Elfie Semotan is one of the most prominent photographers on the scene today. Her work has revolutionized fashion and advertising photography since the 1960s. Like no other, Semotan has mastered the art of photographic storytelling, producing images that look like film stills, telling a story that goes beyond what can be seen, or else creating relationships to icons or art history. Her portraits of prominent personalities from the fields of art, film, and theater, and last—but not least— her collaboration and friendship with Helmut Lang made her world-famous. The cool elegance and imperfect beauty of her pictures are captivating. She conquered photography—which, like most artistic disciplines, was long dominated by men. This large retrospective at C/O Berlin is the first to honor the entire body of work by this multitalented photographer—and this volume accompanies the show.

ELFIE SEMOTAN (*1941, Wels, Austria) studied at the Modeschule and worked as a model before becoming a fashion, advertising, and portrait photographer. She worked with Martin Kippenberger on the series of works known as Floß der Medusa (Medusa’s Raft). She divides her time among New York, Vienna, and Jennersdorf, Austria.

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