Photography . Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . In: Tiere in der Kunst . Kunsthalle Emden . 2021
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . Birds hang in the air and scream . 1994–2015 . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . Birds hang in the air and scream (Detail) . 1994–2015 . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . Birds hang in the air and scream . 1994–2015 . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . Birds hang in the air and scream . 1994–2015 . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . Birds hang in the air and scream . 1994–2015 . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . Birds hang in the air and scream . 1994–2015 . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . Birds hang in the air and scream . . 240 x 140 cm . Von der Heydt Kunsthalle Wuppertal . Thomas Wrede . Sceneries . 2028
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . 1994–2015 . Schwarzweißfotografien . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . 1994–2015 . Schwarzweißfotografien . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . 1994–2015 . Schwarzweißfotografien . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . 1994–2015 . Schwarzweißfotografien . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . 1994–2015 . Schwarzweißfotografien . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . 1994–2015 . Schwarzweißfotografien . 100 x 70 cm _ 240 x 140 cm
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . In: The Dead . Saidye Bronfman Centre for Arts . Montrèal . 1997 (curated by the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television, Bradford, GB)
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . In: Tiere in der Kunst . Kunsthalle Emden . 2021
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . Installation mit 12 Fotografien im Wewerka Pavillon Münster . 1994
Die Vögel stehen in der Luft und schreien . Installation mit 12 Fotografien im Wewerka Pavillon Münster . 1994
Birds hang in the air and scream
1994 / 2014
The extended version and series progression of 12 large-format, black and white photographs
The series “Birds hang in the air and scream” deals with the remnants left by birds following an in-flight collision with a glass window. In most cases, this animal tragedy had fatal consequences. Backlit by the sun, these delicate bodily impressions and traces of movement left behind by feather dust, fat and blood are made visible. In this way, I make reference to the first photographers who such as Niepce spoke about “Nature leaving behind it’s own impression on the plates” He suggested the phrase “Physautotype” to define a self-made bodily imprint. Personally, these images are the quintessence of photography. In leaving behind a self-imprint of life, one is confronted with the sudden potential for death.
The initial photographs, from 1992_1996 were purely analog. I photographed from the inside looking out, so that the light had the effect of making the traces from the feather dust appear as if they were on the dirty windshield of a car. Afterwards, the background was dramatically dimmed using a complicated darkroom technique, in order to more clearly define the impression of the bird’s body. As I remain fascinated by this dramatic occurrence, I have continued to add to my collection of images involving this subject.
In 1997 I received the Karl-Hofer-Prize from the Berlin University of the Arts, for “the bird” series. Interestingly, various musicians have referenced the series in their works. The German composer Isabel Mundry was inspired for her piece for orchestra entitled “Flugsand” (premier 1998 by the Bayerische Rundfunkorchester in Munich).
