Julius Heinemann
17 - 23 Sep 2008
JULIUS HEINEMANN
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Eröffnung: 16. September, 19-21 Uhr, Ausstellung bis 23. 9. 2008
Zur Ausstellung erscheint ein Künstlerbuch
Exhibition: September 17 – 23, 2008
"Nusser & Baumgart Contemporary is pleased to present the first solo exhibition of the photographic work of emerging artist Julius Heinemann (*1984 in Munich). The exhibition features eleven groups of C-prints on white Plexiglass, a total of 45 images, produced between the years 2006-08.
The term genius loci translates from the latin as genius/protection and loci/place and was used originally to designate the protective deity of a temple. Today the expression is used figuratively to denote the special atmosphere and inherent, unique character of a given place. In diplomacy, the expression is also used to explain why the success of a bi- or multilateral meeting is often indirectly linked to its location.
In our mediated society, in which space and place are constantly shifting between the real and the virtual, the question of how to consciously interact with place and retain a sense of identity continually emerges. Pictures play a central role in identity formation, particularly as ambassadors of things and acts.
How does a picture behave towards a place, a living space, a person, an individual history? What is the interaction between informational content and personal association? How does globalization lead to a displacement of meaning with regard to place and image? What connects place types? What does site-specific mean? These are among the central questions investigated in genius loci.
All of the images in this exhibition have been shot within an urban context and from elevated standpoints. Julius Heinemann seeks out locations such balconies or roofs, from which he is able to gain an overview of a given place. Moving within a 180-degree radius, he photographs the entire visible area, systematically and without focusing on particular motifs. The resulting material is studied and edited carefully and a selection of images is made, resulting in a group of many “sketches.” This group is further edited, doubles and superfluous images are removed, and slowly a final group of individual images emerges that represents details of a larger sum. Through a conscious and selective excision of small cut-outs, the image of the location is repositioned and a completely new “place image” emerges.
The images are seemingly banal—of streets, cars, crosswalks, passers-by—and pixilated, possessing characteristics of both surveillance footage and home video. Technically, this is due to the fact that Heinemann extracts and enlarges details; however, the more he zooms in, the more he reaches the border of the photographic negative. The bigger the details get, the more the total image takes on an atmospheric, even aesthetic quality. In this way, the pictures both objectively document and subjectively preserve the spaces they depict—case studies of the contemporary landscape filtered through the artist’s personal interpretation.
Julius Heinemann studied photography from 2005-07 at the University of Duisberg-Essen (now Folkwang Hochschule) and currently attends the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst (Academy for Visual Arts) in Leipzig. His work has been exhibited in Urban Conditions, Rathaus Galerie, Munich (2007) and Sichtwerk, University of Duisberg-Essen (2007 and 2006) and will be featured in the upcoming exhibition Randbelichtung at the Palais für Aktuelle Kunst, Glückstadt, The artist is based in Munich and Leipzig.
An artist’s book in an edition of 50 has been published in conjunction with the exhibtion.
"Insert "
Eröffnung: 16. September, 19-21 Uhr, Ausstellung bis 23. 9. 2008
Zur Ausstellung erscheint ein Künstlerbuch
Exhibition: September 17 – 23, 2008
"Nusser & Baumgart Contemporary is pleased to present the first solo exhibition of the photographic work of emerging artist Julius Heinemann (*1984 in Munich). The exhibition features eleven groups of C-prints on white Plexiglass, a total of 45 images, produced between the years 2006-08.
The term genius loci translates from the latin as genius/protection and loci/place and was used originally to designate the protective deity of a temple. Today the expression is used figuratively to denote the special atmosphere and inherent, unique character of a given place. In diplomacy, the expression is also used to explain why the success of a bi- or multilateral meeting is often indirectly linked to its location.
In our mediated society, in which space and place are constantly shifting between the real and the virtual, the question of how to consciously interact with place and retain a sense of identity continually emerges. Pictures play a central role in identity formation, particularly as ambassadors of things and acts.
How does a picture behave towards a place, a living space, a person, an individual history? What is the interaction between informational content and personal association? How does globalization lead to a displacement of meaning with regard to place and image? What connects place types? What does site-specific mean? These are among the central questions investigated in genius loci.
All of the images in this exhibition have been shot within an urban context and from elevated standpoints. Julius Heinemann seeks out locations such balconies or roofs, from which he is able to gain an overview of a given place. Moving within a 180-degree radius, he photographs the entire visible area, systematically and without focusing on particular motifs. The resulting material is studied and edited carefully and a selection of images is made, resulting in a group of many “sketches.” This group is further edited, doubles and superfluous images are removed, and slowly a final group of individual images emerges that represents details of a larger sum. Through a conscious and selective excision of small cut-outs, the image of the location is repositioned and a completely new “place image” emerges.
The images are seemingly banal—of streets, cars, crosswalks, passers-by—and pixilated, possessing characteristics of both surveillance footage and home video. Technically, this is due to the fact that Heinemann extracts and enlarges details; however, the more he zooms in, the more he reaches the border of the photographic negative. The bigger the details get, the more the total image takes on an atmospheric, even aesthetic quality. In this way, the pictures both objectively document and subjectively preserve the spaces they depict—case studies of the contemporary landscape filtered through the artist’s personal interpretation.
Julius Heinemann studied photography from 2005-07 at the University of Duisberg-Essen (now Folkwang Hochschule) and currently attends the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst (Academy for Visual Arts) in Leipzig. His work has been exhibited in Urban Conditions, Rathaus Galerie, Munich (2007) and Sichtwerk, University of Duisberg-Essen (2007 and 2006) and will be featured in the upcoming exhibition Randbelichtung at the Palais für Aktuelle Kunst, Glückstadt, The artist is based in Munich and Leipzig.
An artist’s book in an edition of 50 has been published in conjunction with the exhibtion.