PHOTOGRAPHY

Reagan Louie: Orientalia: Sex in Asia

When: Now through Sat 10.4 (Tue-Sat: 10am-6pm)
Where: Von Lintel Gallery (555 W 25th St, 212.242.0599)
Price: FREE
Links: Event Info

Reagan Louie's Towards A Truer Life was called "arguably the best photography book of the year" by The New York Times. Now, running concurrently with an SFMOMA show, Von Lintel presents a collection of color photographs in which Louie combines his documentary style with a more classical approach to composition, depicting Asian prostitutes in kitschy hotel rooms, dingy dancehalls, and grimy streets. Louie canvassed the sex industry in Japan, Korea, China, Southeast Asia, and Thailand to capture the dignified beauty of women who exude contentment in a manner more Holly Golightly than Mary Magdalene. Mirrors, a recurring element, reflect the two-sided nature of the business, as well as the many aspects of these fascinating young women. (NR)

Note: Check out the newly published Orientalia: Sex In Asia book, with text by Louie and an introduction by the infamous Tracy Quan.