Tony Federico

What seems to make Polaroids a compelling choice of medium is the unique kind of trust they create with the person portrayed. Because there is only one copy, the image can be seen immediately — and if it isn't liked, it can be made to disappear for good. That is the complete opposite of the digital image, which can never truly be erased. This uniqueness connects the two Polaroids on view in our exhibition — made nearly 30 years apart by Tony Federico and his daughter Altea Federico. Together, the two works combine into a concept about continuity, trust, and how this way of working has passed from one generation to the next. Tony Federico once captured backstage moments at prêt-à-porter fashion shows in Milan with Polaroids, and today his daughter Altea continues the same practice with images from Berlin's club culture.