Frank Rothe is a German photographer who, until recently, focused on commercial photography. With an interest in expanding his artistic practice he began to work with topics he was personally connected to. The images above are from one such series, titled "Running Through the Wind". Rothe returned to a Soviet summer camp he attended as a child and documented the experience. Being unversed in how to recognize analog v. digital photos I'm not certain how he captures his images, but each is intentional, and in this series all have been given a square frame.
Rothe's work is greatly influenced by the transience he experienced as a child. Growing up in Germany he was a photo journalist by the time he was 19. The rest followed as he constantly attempted to place himself in new cultures and learn everything about those around him. He speaks three languages, is obviously skilled behind a camera, and is shown internationally. "Running Through the Wind" is a unique project for Rothe, but one that he found much joy in. Speaking on going back to the camp he attended as a child, he found that the pace and activities were much the same. He felt a stillness that he hasn't found in other places, namely America, that was valuable to him. These images capture not only that stillness, but the joy these children feel when they have the freedom summer camp provides.
I was first drawn to Rothe's work because the images are beautiful. All together they do a great job of telling the story of this area, showing the rituals and activities that each camper engages in, but also the stillness. There are so many pensive, quite photos that show this unique pacing he speaks about in the statement attached to the work. I'm drawn to Rothe's immersion into another culture. I find it amazing that he can so effectly go into a place and not have the camera change the way people behave. I have trouble with this.
No comments:
Post a Comment