Polaroid (Im)Possible

Not long ago, the Polaroid Corporation had to file for bankruptcy and it looked like we’d all lose one of the most fascinating ways to catch a moment. Everybody mourned helplessly at this great loss; everybody but the head of Westlicht gallery Peter Coeln. While Polaroid planned to auction off their property through Sotheby’s New York, Peter took his chances and managed to take over the European end of the legendary Polaroid Collection.

It was a big relief to the art world as the auctioning off of single pieces would have resulted in the dispersion of the collection founded by Erwin Land. Starting in the 60s, Erwin was the one who handed out cameras and materials to all kinds of artists such as Ansel Adams, Helmut Newton, Andy Warhol and Oliviero Toscani.

Luckily enough, you have the chance to see a selection of these masterpieces till the 21st of August at Westlicht in Vienna. Go and check it out.

Published August 12, 2011.