The Third Day
dal 26/9/2013 al 21/12/2013
Segnalato da
26/9/2013
The Third Day
Alfred Ehrhardt Stiftung, Berlin
Following on from the tradition of topographic photography, this project spotlights man's cultivation of nature. On the occasion of the exhibition at the Foundation the book Henrik Spohler.
Opening remarks: Dr. Christiane Stahl, director Alfred Ehrhardt Foundation
“... and God created the land and the seas. And the land brought forth grass.” West of Rotterdam,
where man created the land, you can clearly see a new plant world evolving. Northern Europe’s
largest tomato-growing area stretches towards the horizon in a seemingly endless greenhouse. Here
the plants thrive not in earth but under glass, in rock wool. And it is not water, but a liquid chemical
nutrient that provides those plants with everything that agricultural engineers have calculated. When
the sun sets, the whole landscape is a radiant artificial orange. The crop plants thrive non-stop.
We have become accustomed to being able to buy every kind of fruit and vegetable at the
supermarket fresh and at any time of year. Cucumbers, tomatoes, aubergines, kiwis and pineapples
are always available just like any other standardized industrial goods. Yet the blissful conditions at
the vegetable stalls and the growing need for good are changing our plant permanently. There are
less and less fruitful regions on earth that are in a natural state – increasingly we find ourselves
surrounded by a completely domesticated landscape.
Following on from the tradition of topographic photography, this project entitled The Third Day
spotlights man’s cultivation of nature. It features gigantic outdoor monocultures in the United States, or under glass and plastic in the Netherlands and Spain. Interior views of research institutes provide
insights into those places where new varieties are constantly being grown and tested. Places where
man assumes the role of Creator when he uses genetic engineering to give plants features that are
even more profitable.
On the occasion of the exhibition at the Alfred Ehrhardt Foundation the book Henrik
Spohler. The Third Day is being published by Hatje Cantz Publishers. With texts by Christiane Stahl,
Friedemann Scholl, 86 pages, 53 illustrations, German/English.
Accompanying program from the series “Literaturhaus der Fotografie,” Wednesday, November 20,
2013, 7 pm:
Georg Klein: Allwurzler! Eine libidinöse Annäherung. Reading and talk with Thomas Böhm, Project
Management internationales literaturfestival berlin
Image: Tomatenrispen in Middenmeer, Niederlande, 2010, 109 x 133 cm, Pigmentprint kaschiert auf Aludibond, © Henrik Spohler
Project-based PR:
artpress – Ute Weingarten Elisabethkirchstr. 15 10115 Berlin +49 (0)30-21961843 artpress@uteweingarten.de
Opening: Friday, September 27, 2013, 7 pm. The artist will be present.
Alfred Ehrhardt Stiftung
Auguststr. 75 10117 Berlin
Hours: Di bis So 11 – 18 Uhr, Do 11 – 21 Uhr