Construction Figurative Photography

Christian Rothmann ROBOTNICS Series C-Print 2019 Edition S (Edition of 10) 12 x 8.3 inches (30.5 x 21 cm) Signed, dated and numbered verso Other Edition Sizes available: - Edition M (Edition of 6) 35.4 x 23.6 inches (90 x 60 cm) - Edition L (Edition of 6) 47.2 x 31.5 inches (120 x 80 cm) - Edition XL (Edition of 3) 88.8 x 58.8 inches (225 x 150 cm) PUR - Price Upon Request -------------- Since 1979 Christian Rothmann had more than 40 solo and 80 group exhibitions worldwide. Christian Rothmann had guest lectures, residencies, art fairs and biennials in Europe, Japan, USA, Australia and Korea. Christian Rothmann (born 1954 in Kędzierzyn, Poland ) is a painter, photographer, and graphic artist.⁠ ⁠ In 1976 he first studied at the “Hochschule für Gestaltung” in Offenbach, Germany and moved to Berlin in 1977, where he graduated in 1983 at the “Hochschule der Künste”. From 1983 to 1995 he taught at the university as a lecturer and as an artist with a focus on screenprinting and American art history. To date, a versatile body of work has been created, which includes not only paintings but also long-standing photo projects, videos, and public art.⁠ ⁠ Guest lectures, teaching assignments, scholarships and exhibitions regularly lead Rothmann to travel home and abroad.⁠ ------------------------ Rothmann's Robots These creatures date back to another era, and they connect the past and the future. They were found by Christian Rothmann, a Berlin artist, collector and traveler through time and the world: In shops in Germany and Japan, Israel and America, his keen eye picks out objects cast aside by previous generations, but which lend themselves to his own work. In a similar way, he came across a stash of historic toy robots of varied provenance collected by a Berlin gallery owner many years ago. Most of them were screwed and riveted together in the 1960s and 70s by Metal House, a Japanese company that still exists today. In systematically photographing these humanoids made of tin - and later plastic - Rothmann is paraphrasing the idea of appropriation art. Unknown names designed and made the toys, which some five decades on, Rothmann depicts and emblematizes in his extensive photo sequence. In their photographs of Selim Varol's vast toy collection, his German colleagues Daniel and Geo Fuchs captured both the stereotypical and individual in plastic figures that imitate superheroes which were and still are generally manufactured somewhere in Asia. Christian Rothmann looks his robots deep in their artificially stylized, painted or corrugated eyes - or more aptly, their eye slits - and although each has a certain degree of individuality, the little figures remain unknown to us; they project nothing and are not alter egos. Rothmann trains his lens on their faces and expressions, and thus, his portraits are born. Up extremely close, dust, dents, and rust become visible. In other words, what we see is time-traces of time that has passed since the figures were made, or during their period in a Berlin attic, and - considering that he robots date back to Rothmann's childhood - time lived by the photographer and recipients of his pictures. But unlike dolls, these mechanical robots bear no reference to the ideal of beauty at the time of their manufacture, and their features are in no way modeled on a concrete child's face. In this art project the robots appear as figures without a context, photographed face-on, cropped in front of a neutral background and reduced to their qualities of form. But beyond the reproduction and documentation a game with surfaces is going on; our view lingers on the outer skin of the object, or on the layer over it. The inside - which can be found beneath - is to an extent metaphysical, occurring inside the observer's mind. Only rarely is there anything to see behind the robot's helmet. When an occasional human face does peer out, it turns the figure into a robot-like protective casing for an astronaut of the future. If we really stop and think about modern toys, let's say those produced from the mid 20th century, when Disney and Marvel films were already stimulating a massive appetite for merchandising, the question must be: do such fantasy and hybrid creatures belong, does something like artificial intelligence already belong to the broader community of humans and animals? It is already a decade or two since the wave of Tamagotchis washed in from Japan, moved children to feed and entertain their newly born electronic chicks in the way they would a real pet, or to run the risk of seeing them die. It was a new form of artificial life, but the relationship between people and machines becomes problematic when the machines or humanoid robots have excellent fine motor skills and artificial intelligence and sensitivity on a par with, or even greater than that of humans. Luckily we have not reached that point yet, even if Hollywood adaptations would have us believe we are not far away. Rothmann's robots are initially sweet toys, and each toy is known to have a different effect on children and adults. They are conceived by (adult) designers as a means of translating or retelling history or reality through miniature animals, knights, and soldiers. In the case of monsters, mythical creatures, and robots, it is more about creating visions of the future and parallel worlds. Certainly, since the success of fantasy books and films such as Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit, we see the potential for vast enthusiasm for such parallel worlds. Successful computer and online games such as World of Warcraft, or the creation of avatars are also interesting worldwide phenomena of virtual realities that are not only relevant for children and teens. So when a middle-aged Berlin photographic artist (like Christian Rothmann) chooses to study 120 toy robots with great difference in form, it represents a journey back to his own childhood - even if at the time, he played with a steam engine rather than a robot. Once batteries had been inserted, some of the largely male or gender-neutral robots, could flash, shoot, turn around and even do more complicated things. Some can even still do it today - albeit clumsily. This, of course, can only be seen on film, but the artist intends to document that as well; to feature the robots in filmic works of art. The positioning of the figures in the studio is the same as the tableau of pictures in the exhibition room. In this way, one could say Rothmann deploys one robot after the other. This systematic approach enables a comparative view; the extreme enlargement of what are actually small and manageable figures is like the macro vision of insects whose fascinating, sometimes monster-like appearance only becomes visible when they are blown up a hundredfold. The same thing goes for the robots; in miniature form, they seem harmless and cute, but if they were larger than humans and made noises to match, they would seem more threatening. Some of the tin figures...

Other Side of the Eye (Shot 2019 on 600 film) Edition of 10 - 20 x 20 cm - Digital C-Print based, not mounted. Signed on back and certificate. Artist: The image was in part influ...

Winter (The Last Picture Show) - 2005, 50x49cm, Edition of 10 plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print, based on the original Polaroid. Certificate and Signature label. Artist I...

Ancient Views of Panama and the District of Colon is a set of two different prints made in 1880s Prints in very good condition, applied on a single cardboard. Caption in Italian in...

'Harvest Dance' Limited edition archival photograph. Unframed, hand signed and numbered _________________ Late August, captured in the glow of the evening sun, my daughters join han...

Lord Fauntleroy Foggy Evening Walk (Enchanted, Twilight, Mystic) 2024 Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemuehle Baryta Rag 315gsm Size: 19 x 10 inches Edition: 7 Signed, titled and date...

Jean Cocteau -  Vintage Photo is a black-and-white photograph that was realized in the 1960s. Good conditions.

The Radio Telescope in Arcetri is a black and white vintage photo, realized in the 1970s.  It belongs to a historical album including historical moments, royal families, and politic...

Pool at Night (Suburbia) 2004, 50x50cm, Edition of of 10, digital C-Print based on an expired Polaroid. Signature label with Certificate, unmounted. The project "Suburbia" was shot...

 The first domestic solar panels  is a black and white vintage photo, realized in 1970s. Good conditions and aged.  It belongs to a historical and nostalgic album including histori...

This Photograph titled "Workmen on Top of Tunnel at Shape Up Basin" c.1960, is a gelatin silver print by noted photographer Richard Stacks, 1930-2015. It has the stamp of the Baltimo...

Set of 3 Santa Cruz Photographs on Canvas Set of 3 Santa Cruz photographs on canvas by Bay Area artist Joy Marquez (American, 20th C.). Signed "J. Z. Marquez" lower right. Canvas: ...

A burning house, the vintage photograph is an original vintage photograph realized in sensible moment by an Anonymous photographer Good conditions.

Transportation of Marble Blocks is a Silver Salt print realized in the 1910s. From Alinari archive. Good conditions and aged.

The nuclear center, vintage photograph is an original black and white photograph realized by Eligio Paoni in 1988. Hand-signed and dated with the description on the rear. Good condi...

From Now On (The Last Picture Show) - 2005, 50x49cm, Edition of 10 plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print, based on the original Polaroid. Certificate and Signature label. Art...

The Desert Can Be Reclaimed- American Vintage Photograph is an original black and white photograph realized in the U.S in the Mid-20th Century in a series of American life in the 20t...

'Sunfall', 2016, Edition of 10 plus 2 Artist Proof, 20x48cm, Digital Print based on an original Polaroid on Hahnemühle photo rag paper, not mounted . Signature label and certificate...

Fragile - 2020 Edition of 10 plus 2 Artist Proof Digital C-Print based on an original Polaroid on Hahnemuehle photo rag paper. Signature label and certificate. Not mounted. Lisa To...

Rescue efforts in Skopje is a black and white vintage photo, realized in 1963. Army units dig through the ruins of collapsed houses in Skopje, capital of Yugoslav Macedonia, in the ...

May 6, 1976 -Friuli earthquake- Gemona is a black and white vintage photo, realized in May 13, 1976. Good conditions and aged. It belongs to a historical and nostalgic album includ...

Rising like a phoenix from the dereliction of Battersea Power Station, London. – Cawston’s Concrete Jungle is not a vision of the ultramodern, of orderly skyscrapers with comfortable...

The Moving City is a black and white vintage photo, realized in 1962.  Good conditions and aged. The photo shows flats being erected in Norilsk. Note how they are being built on pi...

War in Algeria - Historical Photo  is a black and white vintage photograph realized in the 1960s. It belongs to historical album including photo reportages of historical events and p...

War in Algeria- Historical Photo is a black and white vintage photograph realized in the 1960s. It belongs to historical album including photo reportages of historical events and pol...

Not one to shy away from human representation, Pia Clodi’s more portraiture-like works continually offer the sitter an air of anonymity, and as such the viewer has the opportunity to...

This beautiful photograph Backlight 3 was shot by the Italian photographer Giulio Gonella. Direct print on aluminum from the print series Backlight, op...

The end of the maneuvers of Bolzano is an original black and white photo realized in September 1935 by Agence Trampus (Paris). The original hallmark of the agency (Photoreportage Tra...

Future of Two American Cities - American Vintage Photograph is an original black and white photograph realized in the U.S in the Mid-20th Century in a ...

Colorado School of Mine - American Vintage Photograph is an original black and white photograph realized in the U.S in the Mid-20th Century in a series...

Industrial Look Up is a mesmerizing photograph on Pearl photographic paper realized by the artist Cindi Emond in 2015. Edition of 10 prints. Perfect condition. Hand-signed on the ba...

Post-Impressionist Golden Light illuminates six figures on Central Park's Bow Bridge. They are depicted in casual poses unburdened by everyday stresses. The low-angle backlighting s...

Slim Aarons Ready To Roll, John Ford in Hawaii, 1955 Silver gelatin print 16 x 20 inches Estate stamped and hand numbered edition of 150 with certificate of authenticity from the est...

ANONYMOUS. (American) Oil Well Supply company. Dallas TX, Photographer: Richie Photo. Workmen place pipes (iron tubes) in an oil well. Derrick produced by ...

An original Inkjet prints, carbon and beeswax mounted to wood that was included in the artistic duo's exhibition at the world renowned Albright Knox Art Gallery. Virocode is compose...

UNTITLED #4, 2021 Archival Pigment Print, Framed (Unframed option is also available - please enquire for an offer) 30 x 46 cm / 12 x 18 inches approx. plus frame Edition of 10 + 2 AP Other dimensions are also available Series: Tree Huggers from the Future Signed on verso "On a recent walk in my favourite area of woodland I came across a group of time travelling eco tourists, appearing one by one from a brilliantly bright space suspended over a small pond. They had come back to our time to study trees and invited me to document their research. Apparently they knew I would say yes. Twice now our trips have coincided, almost as if they knew where and when I would be going on holiday, and I must admit, I hope our paths cross again, as I find them strangely photogenic." - George McLeod...

Signed. Photograph mounted to black paper & paper mounted to large Album Sheet. Vintage gelatin silver print

limited edition of 5, signed on reverse by the artist, Phillip Buehler. As the Holiday season approaches we can image and remember the stage upon which Santa sat in the Wayne Hill's...

Slim Aarons Ready To Roll, John Ford in Hawaii, 1955 Fiber print 20 x 24 inches Estate stamped and hand numbered edition of 150 with certificate of authenticity from the estate. ...

Birds on Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, New York City. Shipping should be around $100. This archival color photograph by fine art photographer Mitchell Funk is signed, dated and ...