ARTIST STATEMENTS

 

TRUCKS.13  

Truck Art of Pakistan: A Journey Through Color and Craftsmanship

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In 2013, during my world journey, I intended to spend only six days traveling through Pakistan, but it turned into six weeks. At that time, a vehicle traversed the country each week. I found myself freely navigating the city of Lahore, captivated by the craftsmanship practiced by its people. I pondered, why do they do this? The answer I received was that these intricately adorned trucks serve as a unique business card for their owners. A beautiful truck symbolizes not just a vehicle, but a thriving business. The artwork on these trucks, reminiscent of the classic painting style akin to Bob Ross, features beautiful and sometimes kitschy motifs, executed with both artificial and vividly expressive colors. Common themes include tigers, love, and all imaginable romantic components.

The second technique involves the use of reflective foils. These are meticulously cut with scissors and craft knives, then assembled into artistic mosaics. The third technique centers on aluminum plates, punched and hammered, ultimately crafted into exquisite panels. In my eyes, these are the most beautiful trucks in the world, unrivaled in their vibrant colors. I captured this unique photo series using a specialized robot arm and a telephoto lens. I programmed the upper left and lower right corners of the image, allowing the robot arm to automatically scan the entire picture. I aimed for maximum photo resolution to enable large-format printing, ensuring every smallest brushstroke is visible. Using Photoshop, I eliminated the surroundings in which the trucks were parked, directing maximum attention to the image. Some trucks were tightly positioned in less attractive areas, with added details like stones blocking the wheels to prevent rolling. This highlights the dusty and unwelcoming aspects of some areas in Pakistan, emphasizing the significance of these seemingly incongruous details in securing such exquisite trucks.

This photo series stands as one of my most expressive projects, of which I am immensely proud. I envision it showcased in international galleries, presented in large formats that allow viewers to appreciate the trucks fully and experience the unique feeling of standing practically before one of these remarkable vehicles.

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SHANGHAI.05   

Irreplaceable Snapshots of Pudong's Financial District

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In the captivating photo series "Shanghai.05," I present irreplaceable glimpses into the evolving landscape of Pudong's financial district in Shanghai. The notion of irreproducibility may seem counterintuitive in the age of digital replication, yet each photograph encapsulates a moment in time that remains unrepeatable.

In 2005, fueled by an article in my favorite magazine, Max, which sadly ceased publication, I embarked on a journey to the burgeoning China and the emerging global metropolis of Shanghai. As a professional beauty photographer, my initial intention was to impart Western working methods and style to the local creative scene. However, the linguistic barriers at international advertising agencies proved insurmountable, as English was not widely spoken then. Undeterred, I explored the cityscape, particularly its financial district in Pudong, which at that time was a juxtaposition of old villas and expansive construction sites for future high-rises.

Pudong, home to the iconic Pearl Tower, fascinated me with its blend of tradition and modernity. During countless nocturnal wanderings, I experimented with long-exposure photography, leveraging the capabilities of cameras that had not yet embraced the influences of Instagram, and digital technology was not as advanced as today. The resulting images, each capable of being printed at a substantial 30 × 40 cm size, formed the basis of an exhibition held in a Munich loft in 2006. Rusty frames, specially crafted for the occasion, symbolize the decay of old Shanghai, erased by the relentless march of progress.

Legend emerged from the lens – a lone illuminated villa standing amidst a sea of demolition, making way for anonymous skyscrapers rising in the background. These images reflect not only the melancholy of contemporary China but also the peculiar and grotesque scenarios unique to this vibrant city.

The series comprises 15 meticulously curated shots, each encased in specially prepared, rusted frames. Through these images, I aim to immortalize a unique moment in time, capturing the essence of Shanghai's transformation, its solitude, and the surreal juxtapositions that echo a narrative unseen in European settings. "Shanghai.05" stands as a testament to the power of street photography in preserving ephemeral moments, freezing them in time for eternity.

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PANAMERICANA SHOTS

Drone footage of the most beautiful road on our planet

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My journey along the Panamericana was an artistic expedition fueled by a fascination for the vastness and beauty of this legendary road. Stretching from the southernmost point of our Earth in Ushuaia, the Panamericana spans over 23,000 km up to Alaska, a route I will traverse in a subsequent journey. From the outset, I made the conscious decision to navigate it alone, with my Toyota as a loyal companion and my drone as a creative tool.

The choice to focus on drone photography became a pivotal decision for this expedition. As I journeyed, I experienced a profound loneliness, both painful and an immense challenge. My captures narrate this isolation, encapsulated in 20 epic images. It is this solitude that acts as a common thread through my travel experience, visible in my photographs.

Encountering various travelers exploring the Panamericana in different ways, most with a loved one in the passenger seat, I deliberately chose the challenge of solo travel. From Ushuaia to Colombia, my path led me, and I reached my destination in the coastal city of Cartagena.

The drone became my constant companion, soaring in various countries and environments. Specializing in elaborate panoramas stitched together later on the computer allowed me to craft unique images. My projects consistently showcase substantial technical prowess, not easily replicable. A wealth of knowledge in the photographic realm, acquired over the years, is embedded in them. I am wholeheartedly open to modern media and harness the power of AI technology for my images.

The 22 captures in this series bear witness to impressive attention to detail and vibrant colors. From the streets of Buenos Aires to the approach path of a local airport, always in compliance with laws and regulations, my photo series presents the Panamericana from unique perspectives. Whether high in the Andes or above the streets of Buenos Aires, my drone granted me access to landscapes both surreal and real.

This series is a homage to the beauty of the Panamericana, not merely as a road system but as a living ribbon weaving through 37,000 km of breathtaking landscapes. My images invite the viewer to experience the world from a new, unfamiliar perspective—a viewpoint made possible only through the amalgamation of travel, technology, and artistic expression.

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DUBAI.08

The aspiring Dubai captured on film

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"DUBAI.08" presents exquisite, high-resolution medium format images capturing Dubai in a state that no longer exists. Matthias Barth skillfully documented this incredible metropolis during the construction of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

Known for his nighttime photography, Barth faced challenges during this project, given the inherent dangers of capturing images in a city that was then in the midst of unprecedented development. The construction of the Burj Khalifa posed both visual and logistical challenges, and there was a constant risk of local authorities questioning the photography, potentially leading to complications.

At a time when digital photography was not as advanced, Barth opted for detailed medium-format film photography. This choice had the added advantage that, in the event of scrutiny, the final image could not be immediately presented as it was captured on film. The images reveal the intricate work taking place on construction sites, where skyscrapers were being erected under the challenging conditions of the night. A man sits by an empty hotel pool, and colossal street intersections are depicted with skyscrapers towering in the background. Barth plays with reflections and lens flares, contrasting the glamorous facades of glittering Dubai with the construction sites where laborers toiled.

"DUBAI.08" captures a moment in the city's history when the dichotomy between opulence and the gritty reality of construction projects was stark. These images serve not only as a visual documentation of a specific time in Dubai's evolution but also as a testament to the risks and dedication involved in capturing the essence of a rapidly changing urban landscape.

 

 

37 DEGREES

Thirty Seven Degrees: A Captivating Exploration of Body Heat

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The photo series "37 degrees" is a reflection on the body temperature of a human being. This photographic project could have been executed quite easily; there are millions of images of naked individuals, many of which present themselves in explicit, sexual poses. Even the widely-used Photoshop software provides a filter called „Thermal imaging/Infrared," which achieves a similar effect to my images. However, the crucial distinction lies in the fact that I used a €60,000 thermal imaging camera, the best available on the market at that time, without resorting to digital image manipulation, to bring this project to life. Planning this project extensively, I constructed a suitable set and had to engage two couples as performers. This was no easy task, considering the intimate nature of the act being performed in front of a camera. Prior to the shoot, I conceptualized various poses, like the storyboarding in a film, and then brought them to life during the sessions. Already during the shoot, I could envision the images in the later color palette, and I was deeply impressed by the results.

The camera records the smallest temperature differences on naked skin, capturing even the imprint of a hand on the sheets. This effect cannot be replicated with Photoshop, as the software merely distorts colors. In my thermal imaging camera, blue represented the coldest temperature, while red or white indicated the maximum temperature. Some images are sensual without immediately revealing explicit sexual actions. Of course, there are also images depicting unmistakable sexual play between two or even three individuals. Due to the camera's limitations in resolution, the images resemble color fields, yet the explicit act is still discernible. I aim to showcase these images to a broad audience as they are unique, with nothing comparable existing worldwide.

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LIFT.11

Ski resorts that have been altered using AI

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LIFT.11, born in the year 2011, delves into the realm of manipulation and challenges the boundaries between reality and digital creation. In this project, the focus revolves around the enigma of perception — what is tangible reality, and what emerges from the depths of the computer-generated realm.

Equipped with a specialized robotic arm, I embarked on a unique photographic journey, capturing ski resorts in exceptionally high resolution. The imagery encapsulates the intricate details of ski lifts against breathtaking landscapes. However, the true essence of LIFT.11 lies in the meticulous application of artificial intelligence. Through this technology, I multiplied, repositioned, and rearranged skiers in the photographs, forging entirely new formations within the images.

The result is a surreal tableau, a congregation of skiers manifesting formations and patterns that defy the constraints of reality. The seamless integration of these digitally altered elements blurs the lines between the authentic and the manipulated, leaving the observer in a state of ambiguity. The impeccable execution of image processing creates a visual narrative so convincingly lifelike that distinguishing between reality and digital manipulation becomes a challenge for the viewer.

Despite its modest size, comprising only five images, the LIFT.11 series is a testament to the laborious post-production efforts involved. Each composition emerges from the fusion of thousands of individual shots, meticulously pieced together to form a cohesive visual narrative. The result is a collection of images that transcends the boundaries of traditional photography, inviting viewers to question their perceptions and contemplate the interplay between reality and the digitally manipulated landscape.

 

 

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WIDE PANOS

High-resolution panoramas of selected locations worldwide.

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"WIDE PANOS" is a collection of images curated by Matthias Barth during his inaugural world journey from Munich to Tibet. These photographs encapsulate landscapes and people that defy conventional categorization. The panoramas capture moments in the hottest place on Earth, the Lut Desert, and the mesmerizing spectacle of hundreds of hot air balloons taking flight in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Executed in 2012, these images predate the influencer era and the influx of aspiring photographers, allowing Barth the freedom to document the launches of hot air balloons without hindrance. One striking image showcases a Wish Tree standing amidst the Turkish landscape. The technical prowess employed to achieve background blur in a panoramic image is noteworthy, defying the norm and placing the focus on the tree or the two other trees that contribute to the ensemble. This intentional use of bokeh adds a unique dimension to the photograph.

Each image from the "WIDE PANOS" series has a story to tell, not only about the subjects captured but also about the journey and the meticulous technical considerations behind the lens. One particularly evocative image portrays the launch of hot air balloons in Cappadocia, capturing the majestic ascent of these colorful vessels into the sky.

While the details of the creation of each image could fill a narrative of its own, the majority of these captures originated from Barth's maiden global expedition. The series offers viewers a visual odyssey through diverse landscapes and cultural moments, inviting contemplation and storytelling beyond the confines of this statement.