bio
Karchi Perlmann has been an image-maker for over 25 years. He hails from Budapest, Hungary, the birthplace of his photographic heritage. Influencers such as Moholy-Nagy, Kertesz and Munkacsi had a profound effect on the way he looks at the world. Incidentally, it was Robert Capa who said: "It is not enough to be a talented photographer, you also have to be Hungarian.”
Karchi launched his photo career in 1991 in the seat of a single engine Cessna. Soon after he opened the doors of his commercial photo studio shooting for advertising agencies, corporate clients and publications. In the mid 90’s he got entangled with the independent film scene, producing, writing and directing. The experience opened up a whole new world of possibilities, perspectives and creative outlets.
The synthesis of still photography and motion picture was the catalyst that transitioned Karchi into fine art photography. He began to treat the still camera as a paintbrush, turning it from a “moment-freezing” device into a “time-catching” device. He combined movement with long exposures and at times with multiple exposures, taking the photographic medium beyond its fundamental tenets. It elevated his work from the fine craft of image making to a form of deep personal expression.
His move to Los Angeles during the early 2000’s brought Karchi’s work into focus. He slowly shifted from human subjects towards exploring his immediate environment. His cubist and abstract-expressionist landscapes, seascapes and urban-scapes speak of the intangible and mystic nature of his world as he experiences them. This is apparent in works such as the Time Catcher, Together / Discombobulated and LA Monuments.
Karchi is currently working on a new series entitled, LA Rhapsody. It is a 65 feet long photographic installation, a panoramic tour de force, addressing the social complexity and the vastly contradictory dynamics of Los Angeles. It will be on view at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in 2019.