Walter Pfeiffer and Philippe Brutus

Longtime Achtung contributor and friend Walter Pfeiffer was given his first institutional solo exhibition at the Swiss Institute in the East Village in New York running from May to August. Pfeiffer who started out as a department store window dresser is presented as a multi-hyphenated artist as the show features drawings, paintings and of course photographs. Pfeiffer started his fashion photography career at the ripe age of 60 in the pages of Achtung and after being introduced by us to the agency Art+Commerce (home of Steven Meisel) and its director Philippe Brutus he took off shooting for French Vogue, Self Service or with A.P.C. and Ferragamo campaigns.

The good and great gathered on St. Marks Place on Wednesday night to pay homage to the whimsical Pfeiffer and we spotted photographers Jack Pierson, Mark Borthwick, Inez and Vinoodh and even super artist Peter Fischli of Fischli/Weiss in the crowd. Put together by Swiss Institute director Simon Castets (who followed board chair Maja Hoffmann’s call to become director of strategic initiatives at LUMA in Arles recently) and curated by Daniel Merritt, the show gives Pfeiffer his deserved place as a pioneer of queer photography and gender bender. We caught up with curator Daniel Merritt before a dinner at Il Buco in honor of Pfeiffer.

Achtung: Tell us about yourself?

Daniel Merritt: I am from Cape Code and work as an independent curator at the Swiss Institute.

A: How did this show come about?

DM: Simon and I realized at our last big benefit in 2018 that Walter’s work needs to be looked at closer and from an institutional point of view.

A: What was your approach?

DM: We went through more than 3500 photos, paintings and drawings dating back to the 60s like a large folding screen depicting a cat from 1966. We wanted to do a show that feels exiting for people who know his work and are fans and also provide an introduction to a new audience. I wanted a fidelity to his artistic integrity and underline what a precursor he was.

A: What was different working with Walter?

DM: He is just so funny and I have not laughed as much in prepping an art show as with him.

Our editor in chief Markus Ebner

Photographer and Achtung friend Ralph Mecke