„Fascination of the imaginary"
The French photographer William Ropp is well known for the unique style in which he captures the mysterious aspects of human nature. Taking outstanding pictures of humans is the theme of the internationally renowned photographer. Surprisingly, it is not the viewer who gazes at the humans: women, men and children; they rather redirect the stare towards the person looking at the unfathomable black and white pictures. Seemingly coming from a different time, these human beings unify ancient mysteries and timeless questions in their appearances.
The exhibition „Fascination of the Imaginary" in the in focus gallery, Cologne shows three aspects of the creative work William Ropps - from his early photographs to his child portraits up to his recent series about humans from Mali.
In his portraits of children Ropp shows an ambivalence of the childs facial expression which will not fit in the presentation of the ever- cheerfull- child. The viewers childhood emotions and memories - long forgotten are awakened.
The embedding of the Mali people in outstanding landscapes and waterworlds leading in a strange world full of mystery. William Ropps images carry the visitors of the exhibition off to a travel across diffrent levels of reality and invite to occupy with the anthropological question of being and non -being. William Ropp uses photography not to show the reality manner, in fact he is in the search of the fascination of imaginary. His photographs raise questions. Wheather there is an answer, this has only the viewer to decide.
Such photography is the very opposite of what it is commonly held for: to be a mere reflection of the visible world. Ropps art does not render the visible, but makes visible.
>>>William Ropp
No comments:
Post a Comment