Grossberg's paintings have often been associated with photography. He shares themes such as industry, technology and architecture with contemporary photographers like August Sander and Albert Renger-Patzsch, as well as a cool, objective visual language. But it's also worth comparing him with a younger generation of photographers, like this picture by Thomas Ruff (born 1958) alongside Grossberg's village and city views.
Like most of Grossberg's pictures, this one is also deserted. It shows a row of dreary apartment buildings placed sideways in the picture. However, these are the backs of the buildings, as no entrance doors are visible. A heavily cropped church tower can be seen on the right edge of the picture. The photo is part of a whole series of houses that Ruff photographed in Düsseldorf and the surrounding area. He took the pictures undisturbed, early in the morning and under grey skies. Having studied in Bernd and Hilla Becher's renowned class in Düsseldorf, Ruff was influenced by the objective architectural photography of the Bauhaus movement and the architectural photography of the 1950s to 1970s. Regarding the houses, he said: 'We know nothing and at the same time everything about this architecture, as its defining features are anonymity and placelessness.'
- Location & Dating
- 1988
- Material & Technique
- C-Print
- Museum
- Leihgabe des Künstlers
- Inventory number
- X26.169