Photographer Kosmer Opens Solo Exhibition in Budapest

By WRILEY NELSON
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Local photographer John Kosmer’s first solo exhibition, part of PH21 Photography Gallery’s Photographic Visions—Summer 2024, is open at the Budapest gallery until Tuesday, August 20. The show features 25 selections from Kosmer’s “Mug Shot Project,” a series of tableaus starring his outlandish collection of vintage sculpted drinking mugs.

“I was storing some of these antique sculpted face mugs for my daughter,” he said, offering an explanation for the surreal tableaus. “One day, I opened the cabinet and they were staring back at me. I thought I could do something with that.”

The scenes gently and humorously chide aspects of American culture and customs. Unlike those of many other photography exhibitions, Kosmer’s captions are an essential part of each piece’s meaning. He compared the shots to “New Yorker” cartoons in their style and spirit.

Kosmer, 75, earned an MFA in photography and pursued the craft in his 20s and 30s before gradually losing interest. His return after a 35-year hiatus has been a great success, and he typically participates in two part-time photography shows each month. Kosmer’s recent work has been displayed in galleries across the U.S. and Europe, including shows in Glasgow and Athens.

“I’m butting up against the 20th-century notion that documentary photography is king,” Kosmer continued. “A lot of photographers are beginning to see that and move in more creative directions now that everyone has a smart phone in their pocket. Who needs another shot of the Tuscan hills? You can still do that kind of thing for personal improvement, but documentary photography just doesn’t have that incomparable power anymore.”

For more information on the exhibit, or to view the Mug Shot Project, visit https://johnkosmerphotography.weebly.com/mug-shot-project-photos.html.