Missouri - Photography

Bryan Atkinson Boot's Court Archival Pigment Print Year: 2024 Visible Size: 7.5 x 9.5 inches Signed: On Label COA provided *Framing options available. Please inquire. Bryan Atkinso...

Lord Fauntleroy Cali 180722-277 Pigment Print Year: 2018 Visible Size: 13 x 13 inches Framed: 20.5 x 20.5 inches Signed: On Label Edition: 7 COA provided *White frame with standard ...

Jeffrey Tamblyn Redemption and Retribution Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemuehle Baryta Rag Year: 2021 Size: 16x16 inches Edition: 50 Signed, dated and numbered by hand on label COA ...

David Pugh Disco Atlas Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta, 100% Cotton Fibre, 315 gsm, Acid and Lignin free, ISO 9706 conform / museum quality for highest age resi...

Composing non-living objects is completely different- especially when it comes to birds. I know it can maybe seem macabre at first, but I love photographing both living and non-livin...

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...

Paul Middleton Westport Year: 2024 Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemuehle Baryta Rag Framed Size: 13 x 13 x 0.25 inches COA provided *Ready to hang; matted and framed in a minimal bl...

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...

Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrapped Reichstag (I) (German Parliament, Blue Sky) Color Photograph on Archival Paper Year: 1995 Size: 11.81 x 15.74 inches (30 x 40 cm) Photographer: Wolf...

Spencer Tracy & Deborah Kerr Edward, My Son Black & White Photograph on Photographic Paper Year: 1949 Size: 6.5 x 8 inches (16.51 x 20.32 cm) Stamped verso Publisher: Metro-Goldwyn-...

Jeff Burk Construction on Main Street Year: 2024 Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemuehle Baryta Rag Framed Size: 13 x 13 x 0.25 inches COA provided *Ready to hang; matted and framed i...

Shirley Harryman Tiger Swallowtail Archival Pigment Print Year: 2024 Visible Size: 12 x 12 inches Framed: 22.25 x 21.25 x 1.25 inches Signed: On Label COA provided *Black gallery f...

Kelly Ludwig Television Americana Archival Pigment Print Year: 2024 Visible Size: 11.5 x 15.5 inches Framed: 18 x 22 inches Signed: On Label COA provided *Black frame with standar...

Kelly Ludwig Barn Archival Pigment Print Year: 2024 Visible Size: 11.5 x 15.5 inches Framed: 18 x 22 inches Signed: On Label COA provided *Black frame with standard plex Kelly Lud...

archival pigment print

archival pigment print

Edition: 25 Signed, dated and numbered in ink on label affixed verso COA provided In Sherman's photographs she is experimenting with groupings of different objects with my porcelain...

Vicki Stewart Layers of Time Year: 2024 Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemuehle Baryta Rag Framed Size: 13 x 13 x 0.25 inches COA provided *Ready to hang; matted and framed in a minim...

Richard Klopfenstine Library Year: 2024 Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemuehle Baryta Rag Framed Size: 13 x 13 x 0.25 inches COA provided *Ready to hang; matted and framed in a minim...

Jason Dailey Yellow Rope Barn Archival Pigment Print Year: 2024 Visible Size: 9.5 x 9.5 inches Framed: 12.875 x 12.875 inches Signed: On Label COA provided *White frame with standar...

Jason Dailey Red Grain Bins Archival Pigment Print Year: 2024 Visible Size: 9.5 x 9.5 inches Framed: 12.875 x 12.875 inches Signed: On Label COA provided *White frame with standard ...

Artist Unknown Mexican Revolution Portrait (2) 1972 Lithograph (poster) reproduction of original photograph c. 1917 24 x 14 inches 26.5 x 20.5 (framed)

Lord Fauntleroy Chewbacca - Affenpinscher (Puppy, Dog, Portrait, Staged, Iconic, Funny, Whimsical, Heartwarming) 2023 Archival Pigment Print on Hahnem...

Shirley Harryman Floating Over Missouri Archival Pigment Print Year: 2024 Visible Size: 12 x 12 inches Framed: 22.25 x 21.25 x 1.25 inches Signed: On Label COA provided *Black galle...

Laura Lloyd Five Lemons Archival Pigment Print Year: 2024 Visible Size: 11 x 17 inches Framed: 15.4 x 21.4 x 1.5 inches Signed: On Label COA provided *Black frame with standard plex...

Nick Vedros Venus Archival Pigment Print on Epson Legacy Platine 100% Cotton Fibre, 314 gsm, Acid and Lignin free Year: 1990s Size: 15x10in Edition: 15 Signed, dated and numbered by...

Lord Fauntleroy Ahmedabad 151209-101 Pigment Print Year: 2015 Visible Size: 9.25 x 9.25 inches Framed: 10.6 x 10.6 inches Signed: On Label Edition: 8 COA provided *White frame with s...

Lord Fauntleroy Set of Hands 2015 3 x Archival Pigment Prints on Matte Paper Size: 24 x 24 inches (60.96 x 60.96cm) (each) Edition: 9 Signed, titled and dated on label COA provided ...

Artist Unknown Mexican Revolution Portrait (1) 1972 Lithograph (poster) reproduction of original photograph c. 1917 24 x 14 inches 26.5 x 20.5 (framed)

Nick Vedros Cubist Poodle Archival Pigment Print Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta 325 gsm Year: 2000s Size: 9.5x14in Edition: 12 Signed, dated and numbered by hand on label Stamped COA pro...

Nick Vedros Lie Detector Dog Archival Pigment Print Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta 325 gsm Year: 2000s Size: 8x8.5in Edition: 12 Signed, dated and numbered by ...

Nick Cave Soundsuit #6 Year: 2010 Archival Pigment Print on Premium Rag Size: 17 x 12 in. Edition: 200 Signed by hand on label COA provided Ref.: 924802-2069 Tags: #NickCave #Missou...

Bryan Atkinson Truman Road Archival Pigment Print Year: 2024 Visible Size: 7.5 x 9.5 inches Framed: 13 x 17 inches Signed: On Label COA provided *White frame with standard plex Bry...

Shirley Harryman Pop Gun Archival Pigment Print Year: 2024 Visible Size: 11 x 11 inches Framed: 20.5 x 20.5 inches Signed: On Label COA provided *White gallery frame with standard p...

Kevin Vivers K7 menu Archival Pigment Print Year: 2024 Visible Size: 9 x 13 inches Framed: 18 x 22 inches Signed COA provided *Black frame with standard plex Kevin Vivers has been ...

Nick Vedros Brooklyn Bridge American Flag Archival Pigment Print Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta 325 gsm Year: 2001 Size: 12x8in Edition: 15 Signed, dated and numbered by hand on label Sta...

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 ...

Kelly Ludwig began designing professionally since graduating from the University of Kansas with a B.F.A. in Visual Communications. Before joining DEG Digital as Associate Creative Di...

Jarrett Redd Fog Year: 2024 Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemuehle Baryta Rag Framed Size: 13 x 13 x 0.25 inches COA provided *Ready to hang; matted and framed in a minimal black fra...

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 ...

Jack Hayhow Title: Moulton at Midnight Photographic Print on fine Paper Year: 2020 Size: 32x54 inches Signed by hand COA provided Ref.: 924802-889 ---------------------------------...

archival pigment print

Kelly Ludwig began designing professionally since graduating from the University of Kansas with a B.F.A. in Visual Communications. Before joining DEG Digital as Associate Creative Di...

Nick Vedros Darkhorse Harley Speedster Archival Pigment Print Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta 325 gsm Year: 2000s Size: 8x15in Edition: 12 Signed, dated and numbered by hand on label Stamp...

Jack Hayhow Title: John Moulton Barn Photographic Print on fine Paper Year: 2020 Size: 24x36 inches Description: Available in multiple sizes - please inqu...

Lord Fauntleroy Ahmedabad 151209-45 Pigment Print Year: 2015 Visible Size: 9.25 x 9.25 inches Framed: 10.6 x 10.6 inches Signed: On Label Edition: 8 COA provided *White frame with s...

Lord Fauntleroy Ahmedabad 151209-28 Pigment Print Year: 2015 Visible Size: 9.25 x 9.25 inches Framed: 10.6 x 10.6 inches Signed: On Label Edition: 8 COA provided *White frame with s...

Lord Fauntleroy Ahmedabad 151209-17 Pigment Print Year: 2015 Visible Size: 9.25 x 9.25 inches Framed: 10.6 x 10.6 inches Signed: On Label Edition: 8 COA provided *White frame with s...

Nick Vedros Cheese Factory Archival Pigment Print Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta 325 gsm Year: 1990s Size: 8x12in Edition: 12 Signed, dated and numbered by hand on label Stamped COA prov...

Wabaunsee County, KS (2014) Giclee Print on Coated Fiber Paper Edition of 25 + AP Image Size: 18 1/4" x h 8 1/4

Jack Hayhow Title: Love Bench 2 Medium: Print on Paper Year: 2017 Size: 16 x 24 inches Description: Available in multiple sizes - please inquiry within Edi...

Jack Hayhow Title: Faces Medium: Print on Ppaer Year: 2020 Size: 24x16 inches Description: Available in multiple sizes - please inquiry within Edition: 10 Signed by hand COA provide...

Title: "Path" Medium: Custom Archival Pigment Print on Archival Paper Date: 2019 Dimensions: 10 x 8 in. Signed, dated and inscribed on label COA provided Multiple Sizes Available (please inquire within) Framing Available (please inquire within) Born in Córdoba, Argentina, photographer Pablo Saccinto had a unique journey to discovering his passion for photography. Before he ever picked up a camera, Saccinto studied "Dramatic Arts" at the Royal Theatre, seminary by Jolie Libois and attended the National University of Cinema and Television whilst practicing figure skating as a hobby. However, Pablo wanted his dream to became a reality. In 2009 He decided to try out and audition for Disney On Ice. One year later, Saccinto became part of the magic. Since then He had the opportunity to participate in different productions of the company as Disney on Ice presents, “Toy Story 3", "Rockin’ ever after", "Let’s Celebrate", "100 years of magic", the big phenomenon "Frozen", and his current show "Dare to Dream", traveling to over 20 countries. Some of the roles Pablo portrayed were, Le Fou from Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio, and Miguel from the movie Coco Disney/Pixar. It was through his career as a figure skater that Saccinto found new opportunities in his ever-changing surroundings. Traveling around the globe and seeing all the beauty that this world has to offer opened the door to pursue photography further. Traveling has opened his mind and inspires him to photograph different cultures and even allows him to get to know himself on a before unknown level. Contemporary, contemporary art, contemporary photography, travel photography, cities, Japan, Hiroshima, urban photography, street photography, fine art, architecture, architectural photography, black and white, black and white photography, nature, nature photography, photographers, travel, Edward Weston, William Eggleston, André Kertész, Frans Lanting, Berenice Abbott, Chris Burkard...

Titel: Without Title (New York) Medium: Photograph Year: 1974/2014 Publisher: Griffelkunst Hamburg Size: 7.4 × 10.7 on 11.5 × 15.4 inches After a photographer training at the photo ...

Luanne Rimel is an artist, curator, instructor, and currently the Director of Education Programs at Craft Alliance Art Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Her work is layered with histori...

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 ...

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...

Albrecht Fuchs Title: Factory Workshop Medium: Color Photograph mounted on Di-bond Year: 2006/2007 Signed and dated by hand Size: 14.8 × 18.5 on 17.2 × 20.9 inches Albrecht Fuchs wa...