Understanding Art. ZERO

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The picture – Organische Struktur (1962) by German artist Günther Uecker – hangs on a wall like a painting. Yet it challenges the notion of a picture plane. While the indistinct ‘background’ lacks any classic perspective, the nails will inevitably be seen in perspective by a spectator.

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The picture changes as you walk past; note the varying balance of dark parts and bright parts, caused by light and shadow on the otherwise monochrome nails. Unlike in Renaissance painting, there is no privileged point of view from which – and from which only – the perspective will work.

There is  great openness in this kind of art, inviting some activity from the spectator. The right perspective is the one you choose. The same seems to apply to Vibration (1961) by Jesús Rafael Soto (below). Because of the narrow stripes in the background, the wires seem to vibrate as you walk around – an effect the still camera captures as jagged lines.

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I had no idea when to post this (I made the photographs on May 24), but then Christina aka Paleica came up with a challenge that’s right down my alley: Kunst / Art. Thank you, Christina!

Posted in Art

A Short Walk Around Luxemburgplatz

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DSC01798-kLuxemburgplatz: There is a distinct neighbourhood surrounding this little downtown square, and since I do not know it well, I enjoyed walking around there, making pictures. While this post shows what can happen when I take a camera, I am not quite sure if pictures like these are what Jo has in mind for her Monday Walks. But I think that although they show nothing but details, they convey that particular neighbourhood’s atmosphere.

Opposite Walls

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It has been for quite a while that I wanted to make these photos because the blue mosaic is quite unique for Wiesbaden and the bars add some extra art nouveau. All this was found in a passage leading into a commercial backyard in the downtown part of town.

Once there, capturing the blues, I thought, why don’t I also photograph the opposite side for Paula’s photo challenge? (Can you tell these are opposite walls? There is scientific evidence…)

Inside / Out

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Inside: Is the inside visible from the outside? Is the inside only perceptible in its relation to an outside (by way of looking out, for example)? How can I arrive at one of the two, starting from the other? It may be the transition that counts.

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Ist das Innen von Außen zu sehen? Zeigt sich das Innen nur in seinem Bezug zum Außen (zum Beispiel beim Hinausschauen)? Wie komme ich von dem einen zum anderen? Vielleicht ist es der Übergang, der zählt.

Kurhaus II

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All the stone and glass and brass come to my inner eye when I think of Kurhaus, where last Monday’s walk ended. So I see this as a sort of sequel to last week’s contribution to Jo’s Monday Walks: I never quite succeeded in picturing this feeling of transition into a space that feels old and otherworldly in a way (where you would not be surprised to encounter Mr. Dostoevsky). These pictures are getting very close now.