Radical Beauty
An exhibition with works by: Sammy Baxter, Brian Griffin, Gottfried Helnwein, Eva Losada, Erwin Olaf, Elizaveta Porodina, Zuzu Valla, and others.
f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
Through May 25, 2025
Untitled © Erwin Olaf,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Untitled © Sammy Baxter,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Untitled © Zuzu Valla,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Untitled © Brian Griffin,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Radical Beauty radically questions our perception of beauty, attractiveness and aesthetics. In this globally unique photo project, over 60 internationally renowned fashion and art photographers, including Brian Griffin, Gottfried Helnwein, Eva Losada, Erwin Olaf, Elizaveta Porodina and Zuzu Valla, worked together with people with Down syndrome to develop individual images and photo series. Surprising and unique portraits were created in professional studio conditions. The protagonists include experienced performers such as actresses Sarah Gordy (UK) and Lily Moore (USA), but the majority of them lead a life outside the limelight.
Untitled © Elizaveta Porodina,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Untitled © Eva Losada,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Untitled © Scallywag Fox,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Untitled © Gottfried Helnwein,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Radical Beauty blurs the boundaries between disciplines. Through close collaboration between model and photographer, impressive works have emerged that convey a passion for role-playing and visual experimentation while vividly reflecting the unique personalities of the portrayed. Whether tender intimacy, sober realism or full-blooded joie de vivre – Radical Beauty celebrates all facets of human existence and embraces the diversity of an inclusive society.
Untitled © Elizaveta Porodina,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Untitled © Diana Gomez,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Untitled © Thomas Dodd,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Untitled © Perttu Saksa,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
The London fashion photographer Sammy Baxter, for example, created a dystopian staging with his model Lara Wates, where the pictured struggles with arms that seem to emerge from nowhere against vibrant, colorful backdrops. Brian Griffin, renowned internationally for his portraits of pop musicians, offers black-and-white photographs reminiscent of iconic album covers. Art photographer Erwin Olaf presents his protagonist with slicked-back hair and striking blue eyes in the style of an antique cherub, seemingly floating weightlessly in frothy water. On closer inspection, this effect reveals itself as a technical illusion achieved through masterful manipulation of film material. Fashion photographer Elizaveta Porodina stages actress Lily Moore with vivid surrealism, drawing on the emotional symbolism is a reference to her studies of clinical psychology. Photographer Zuzu Valla sees herself as an advocate for people with disabilities and presents photographs of drag queens and drag kings with Down syndrome that get under your skin.
Untitled © Zuzia Zawada,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Untitled © Zuzu Valla,
from the project Radical Beauty
Radical Beauty, f³ – freiraum für fotografie, Berlin
March 7 – May 25, 2025
Radical Beauty was launched in 2018 by the British collective Culture Device, a group of Down syndrome performers who have already graced stages such as the Royal Opera House, Tate Modern, and Southbank Centre in London. Under the artistic direction of Daniel Vais, the project has since evolved into a global initiative, enhancing the visibility of people with cognitive disabilities and providing a platform for individuals with Down syndrome.
The exhibition was curated by Nadine Barth.
f³ – freiraum für fotografie
Waldemarstrasse 17, 10179 Berlin
Radical Beauty - f³ – freiraum für fotografie, March 7 – May 25, 2025
