Olaf Unverzart
dal 29/4/2010 al 17/7/2010
Segnalato da
29/4/2010
Olaf Unverzart
Alfred Ehrhardt Stiftung, Berlin
On view are large-format photographs from various series, some of which have been published in Unverzart's books in the last few years. These are photographs that the passionate cyclist and mountain climber took with his plate camera in the Alps. The exhibition title Stand is a German term used in mountain climbing, and according to Unverzart it means that one has a safe position and the person ahead can secure himself or herself and the person behind can let go.
Although already known to selected art photography and photobook aficionados, Olaf
Unverzart generally became a name to remember after receiving the German Photobook Prize
in 2006 for his monograph sans moi. The book was an overwhelming success and was critically
acclaimed by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Süddeutsche Zeitung, ZEIT, and by
photography magazines, including European Photography and PHOTONEWS.
Born in
Waldmünchen in 1972, Unverzart studied at the renowned Hochschule für Grafik und
Buchkunst in Leipzig. A student of Joachim Brohm, he earned a diploma in “Artistic
Photography” before later assuming a teaching position at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste
in Nuremberg in 2006. Since the success of his book sans moi Unverzart has attracted the
attention of a wider public with his regular photo column in the magazine of the ZEIT and with
the award of the German Photobook Prize gold medal for his book leichtes gepäck.
The Alfred Ehrhardt Foundation is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Olaf Unverzart at its
Berlin venue, which opened in January 2010. The foundation is thus continuing its series of
exhibitions featuring contemporary photographic positions that address nature and constructs
of the natural—drawing on the thematic focus of Alfred Ehrhardt’s work.
On view are large-format photographs from various series, some of which have been published
in Unverzart’s books in the last few years. These are photographs that the passionate cyclist
and mountain climber took with his plate camera in the Alps. The exhibition title STAND is a
German term used in mountain climbing (in English: “belay off” or “safe”), and according to
Unverzart it “means that one has a safe position and the person ahead can secure himself or
herself and the person behind can let go.
‘Stand’ is also an abbreviation of the words
‘Standpunkt’ (standpoint) and ‘Standbild’ (freeze-frame), which play a role in the works
exhibited.” Disappearing glaciers, the steeply inclined asphalt roads of the Tour de France,
machinery crushed by avalanches, or huge cement fortifications imbedded in rock and defying
nature—Unverzart’s images focus on the massive traces humankind leaves behind when
attempting to master nature or those left behind by nature, when it overcomes humankind.
“Just when one thinks that all possible mountain photographs had already been taken, this
Unverzart comes along and does it all differently. Human intervention in nature is his true
motif. The fact that he pursues this theme without ideological or pedagogical intent comes
through in his work.
His images are profound and subtle.” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung)
Unverzart’s photographs of the Alps are complemented by the work wish you were here, 15
small-format photographs on barite paper dating from 2009, once again surprising images
from the photographer. Unverzart used his plate camera and Polaroid negative film to make
screen shots from over 16 hours of the legendary BBC documentary Planet Earth.
The rare
animals and natural phenomena he recaptured have an appeal based on a mixture of historical
reminiscence and resilient natural beauty. The title indicates that the filmmakers are to be
envied for having actually seen such natural wonders in the most remote corners of the world,
accessible to only a few. The transformation of motifs from a historic nature film into a series
of black and white still images of poetic intensity describes a state of existence that is removed
from—but yet so close to—the natural world.
On Sunday, July 18, 2010 the foundation will host an artist’s talk at 2 pm. Tobias Timm, DIE
ZEIT / Feuilleton, will talk with Olaf Unverzart about the photographs on view, his work, and
his professional path.
For further information and images, please contact us at:
Ute Weingarten
Phone: +49 (0)30 21 96 18 43
E-Mail: artpress@uteweingarten.de
Image: Olaf Unverzart, Untitled/tunnel loutiere, from the series strata, 2009, digital C-print, 125 x 168 cm, edition of 5 + 1
Courtesy Oechsner Galerie Nürnberg
Opening: April 30, 2010, 7 pm
Alfred Ehrhardt Stiftung
Auguststr. 75, Berlin
Opening hours: Tue – Sun 11 am – 6 pm, Thu 11 am – 9 pm
free admission