PREVIEW

Fractured Architecture, Cubist Photographs

Lacock Abbey

June 24-September 24

AN EXHIBITION of cubist inspired photographs, the work of German artist Thomas Kellner, opens at the National Trust Fox Talbot Museum in Lacock on Saturday (June 24).

Kellner is known for his photographs of seemingly dancing architectural exteriors of familiar structures from all over the world. Even though his photographs show well known buildings whose pictures would be immediately recognisable, his work is unique due to the artistic method he calls visual analytical synthesis, in which he does not take one shot but a number of thoughtfully planned ones in order to create a picture out of contact sheets.

His work is often referred to as Cubism, as his creative process includes a construction but with the results resembling a deconstruction.

"I think I am more of an artist than a photographer,"’ says Thomas. "At the moment I am working on architecture, but it is not classic architectural photography. There are definitions in art about ‘construction/deconstruction’ or ‘collage/decollage,’ but I don’t think any of it really fits what I am doing right now, maybe my work is closer to conceptual art or conceptual photography. Many have said it is ‘very German,’ and that might be closer."

Kellner feels his work imitates the wandering look of the eye, showing segments of the total which come together as one image. His photographs do not necessarily deconstruct architecture but instead reconstruct our view of it. He has developed his own unique visual language of multiple perspectives whereby the finished image is a sequence mounted on a contact sheet of 35-mm roll of film and sometimes, two or more rolls.

Normal admission prices to the museum and Abbey apply.