Art Review: Zoe Leonard, Observation Point @ Camden Arts Centre

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 143 months ago
Art Review: Zoe Leonard, Observation Point @ Camden Arts Centre


If you're a fan of unconventional art then the Camden Arts Centre should be towards the top of your list of galleries to visit.

The latest exhibition is of works by the American photographer Zoe Leonard, previously shortlisted for the prestigious Deutsche Borse Photography prize.

One of her installations examines the control that is exercised over us when we see a wonder of nature – in this case the Niagara Falls. It looks at how we are guided towards a single observation point or the classic postcard view even when there are thousands of potential vantage points. To this end, she has collected and assembled thousands of postcards of the Falls to highlight this social construct.

The other half of her exhibition is based around the Camera Obscura – a predecessor to the modern camera. Her 'photographs' taken using this technique aren't exactly stunning but the idea of turning an entire gallery into a giant camera obscura is inspired. You can lie back and watch the traffic on Finchley Road as the light filters through a lens and is inversely projected on to the wall and ceiling. It's very relaxing and feels mildly surreal.

Zoe Leonard: Observation Point is on at the Camden Arts Centre, Arkwright Road, NW3 6DG until 24 June. Entrance is free.

Last Updated 03 April 2012