This blurb appears in the November 19, 2001 issue of New York magazine:For his latest series, "Domestic Landscapes," German photographer Thomas Wrede placed a newspaper ad to find German houses wallpapered with those kitschy '60s and '70s-style photomurals of mountain lakes, forests, and beach scenes that make the Today show's autumn vistas look downright gray. Those who never availed themselves of the trend may want to join the current revival after seeing Wrede's large, colorful photographs of living rooms, dens, home offices, and bathrooms (pictured, Toilet by the Lake, 2000-2001). At Cristinerose Gallery, 529 West 20th Street; through December 22.
 Now here's the press release for the show, which was ghostwritten by yours truly. It's interesting how the New York writer put a "hip" spin on it: In "Domestic Landscapes," German artist Thomas Wrede combines still-life and landscape photography in detailed views of home interiors adorned with panoramic, photographic wallpaper. Taking out an advertisement in a German newspaper, the artist found dozens of houses decorated with these full-color murals, most of them dating back to the '60s and '70s. The super-enlarged photos depict mountain lakes, beach scenes, and cityscapes (including a New York skyline with the World Trade Center), that bring an illusion of spaciousness and "elsewhere" into a closed home environment--a trend that is currently enjoying a resurgence.
Setting up his photo equipment inside the houses, Wrede captured finely-wrought glimpses of domestic settings, all with huge, calendar-art vistas looming behind them. Real furnishings such as throw pillows, knickknack shelves, and bathroom fixtures merge with the artificial backgrounds into a kind of seamless, hybrid space. Shot in sumptuous, saturated color, the photos wryly document lifestyles where homeowners "have it all"--enjoying the outdoors without abandoning creature comforts. They are poignant and personal images of utopia.
Throw this 8'4" X 13'8" mural poster "Manhattan Lights" in your shopping cart for $129.95.
Pal Matt McCaslin did a piece with one of those big landscape murals ten or more years ago. Can't quite remember, but I think it had electric fans attached. The panels are still in the basement in Greenpoint; you can have it for cheap, if you don't mind the mildew and rat droppings.
That's the same one a co-worker found at Home Depot for 62 bucks! He was going to put it on ebay because of the WTC towers until he saw that none of the dozens being offered were making their minimum bids.
Matty mounted a radial saw onto the woods in fall scene. As I remember it, the piece with the attached fans was a photo of clouds in a blue sky.
My parents had one of those scenes on one of the walls in a house they rented. It had a couple of wall sconces (sp?) mounted on it. I can't remember exactly which scene it was as it usually had a pile of boxes and stuff that was too precious for the trash but unwanted nonetheless.
As for these photos, they strike me as more mining of that pretty tired love affair we have for'70's kitsch. Gimmie a Smithson nonsite anyday.
|
This blurb appears in the November 19, 2001 issue of New York magazine:
For his latest series, "Domestic Landscapes," German photographer Thomas Wrede placed a newspaper ad to find German houses wallpapered with those kitschy '60s and '70s-style photomurals of mountain lakes, forests, and beach scenes that make the Today show's autumn vistas look downright gray. Those who never availed themselves of the trend may want to join the current revival after seeing Wrede's large, colorful photographs of living rooms, dens, home offices, and bathrooms (pictured, Toilet by the Lake, 2000-2001). At Cristinerose Gallery, 529 West 20th Street; through December 22.
Now here's the press release for the show, which was ghostwritten by yours truly. It's interesting how the New York writer put a "hip" spin on it:
In "Domestic Landscapes," German artist Thomas Wrede combines still-life and landscape photography in detailed views of home interiors adorned with panoramic, photographic wallpaper. Taking out an advertisement in a German newspaper, the artist found dozens of houses decorated with these full-color murals, most of them dating back to the '60s and '70s. The super-enlarged photos depict mountain lakes, beach scenes, and cityscapes (including a New York skyline with the World Trade Center), that bring an illusion of spaciousness and "elsewhere" into a closed home environment--a trend that is currently enjoying a resurgence.
Setting up his photo equipment inside the houses, Wrede captured finely-wrought glimpses of domestic settings, all with huge, calendar-art vistas looming behind them. Real furnishings such as throw pillows, knickknack shelves, and bathroom fixtures merge with the artificial backgrounds into a kind of seamless, hybrid space. Shot in sumptuous, saturated color, the photos wryly document lifestyles where homeowners "have it all"--enjoying the outdoors without abandoning creature comforts. They are poignant and personal images of utopia.
- tom moody 11-21-2001 3:25 am
Throw this 8'4" X 13'8" mural poster "Manhattan Lights" in your shopping cart for $129.95.
- bill 11-28-2001 4:18 pm
Pal Matt McCaslin did a piece with one of those big landscape murals ten or more years ago. Can't quite remember, but I think it had electric fans attached. The panels are still in the basement in Greenpoint; you can have it for cheap, if you don't mind the mildew and rat droppings.
- alex 11-28-2001 5:36 pm
That's the same one a co-worker found at Home Depot for 62 bucks! He was going to put it on ebay because of the WTC towers until he saw that none of the dozens being offered were making their minimum bids.
- tom moody 11-28-2001 7:33 pm
Matty mounted a radial saw onto the woods in fall scene. As I remember it, the piece with the attached fans was a photo of clouds in a blue sky. My parents had one of those scenes on one of the walls in a house they rented. It had a couple of wall sconces (sp?) mounted on it. I can't remember exactly which scene it was as it usually had a pile of boxes and stuff that was too precious for the trash but unwanted nonetheless. As for these photos, they strike me as more mining of that pretty tired love affair we have for'70's kitsch. Gimmie a Smithson nonsite anyday.
- steve 11-29-2001 5:10 pm