André Rival . André Rival

6 March to 28 April 2002

The Berlin photographer André Rival likes to photograph himselftogether with famous people. In this private peep show, the public display of the famous is de-mystified in a sympathetic way – and the subjects freed from their usual idealisation. Rival’scalculated appearances, which – like any good clown –show a healthy ignorance of the rules of taste, lend the icons ofthe media world human contours that are rarely otherwise seen.

 

Byreducing media stars such as Harald Schmidt, Hannelore Elsner and Wolfgang Joop to the status of a walk-on part in his professional
lay drama, Rival allows them to appear almost authentic, despitetheir well-practised poses.

Since the beginning of the nineties, André Rival has been working as a freelance photographer for newspapers and magazines. He has mastered his craft and carries out each assignment with absolute professionalism. His un-Prussian manner of not just having fun at his work but also capturing that in his pictures quickly made him the most sought-after portrait photographer among stars and celebrities.

André Rival has also made a name for himself in the field of documentary and landscape photography.