“My documentary-style photographs offer a subjective narrative to viewers. In my series Historical Places, I look at the superposition of two separate temporal strata. These images of industrial landscapes serve show what these historic places look like today.” – ZMatthias Koch
When it comes to industrial landscape photography, Bernd and Hilla Becher remain indispensable references. But the large-format photographs by Matthias Koch, a disciple of the Düsseldorf school, possess their own strange poetry. His procedure is also unusual: Koch mounts a remote-controlled 20x25cm camera at the top of a fire engine ladder. (He had to get a special driver’s license for the truck.) This high vantage point allows Koch to place the industrial architecture in its immediate environment with a single gesture. Despite the factuality of these industrial scenes, Koch’s compositions are impressive and magnetic, offering a detached and constantly renewed perspective.
Jérôme Lepioufle
EXHIBITION
Historical Places
Festival Pluie d’Images
January 19 – March 1st, 2013
L’Alizé
90 rue Commandant Challe
29490 Guipavas
France
