AFRICA

In July 2010 Bernheimer Fine Art Photography is delighted to present its double exhibition “Africa” at the Bernheimer Gallery at Brienner Str. 7 in Munich, Germany.While the world is focused on the South African World Cup, Bernheimer takes the opportunity to explore the African landscape and its habitants. The showcase offers two different vantage points on the nature and the living environment of the African continent. While Nick Brandt with his unique portrait style focuses on African animals (many of them endangered species) in the series “A Shadow Falls”, Silke Lauffs with her panoramic camera offers a marvellous interpretation of the South African landscape and presents us with a seemingly unchanging dream world.
“My pictures are idyllic and romantic, I show an enchanted Africa. They are my dirge about a world that tragically disappears.” (Nick Brandt, 2009)
Born in Britain and living in the US, Nick Brandt is considered as one of the most noteworthy animal photographers. His black and white sepia toned portraits precisely record all characteristics and traits and present the animal as a personality in their environment. His pictures are unusual and fascinating, as if the beast just had posed for the camera. Extraordinarily, his photographs are shot without any type of zoom or telescopic lens. Instead, Nick observes the nature and its beasts, often for days, for the perfect moment when he finally triggers the camera. The works presented at Bernheimer demonstrate not only single portraits but also couple and group pictures of animals, which express the close relationship and apparent humanity of amongst animals.
"Everything seems to be obvious; German, English, French and Flemish name of scene: Heidelberg, Worcester, Bellville, Noordhoek – picturesque coasts, forests, seas and gentle green hills. Comfortable weather and intimate architecture. “Ahh – Europe!” think one outrightly…………. Only the small giraffe that suddenly pull ahead does not really fit in the picture and is a first hint that one – a little amazed – is standing on a southern part of the African continent. And with each gasp of the mild and warm air the “Old World” is fading a little more und the magic of the country is diluting all the former associations and suddenly – this is it: AFRICA!" (Silke Lauffs, 2010)
In her series “South African Landscapes”, the German photographer Silke Lauffs presents fairyland sceneries and dramatic panoramas. Through their panoramic format her pictures have a strong horizontal accent. Often the sky and the background are equally present in the image: the sky to induce mood and the scene to narrate a story. The pictures are most often shot in the early morning and don’t usually include human beings. They evoke a longing and partly doleful sentiment as if the countryside has just awoken. Animals become integrated in the picture, without becoming the focus. Through their smooth structure and picturesque contrast, a parallel can be made with pictorials of the early photography of the 19th century, which tried to replicate paintings.
The Bernheimer gallery welcomes visitors to get closer to the multi-faceted landscape and fauna of Africa. Less loud and colourful than the Sport themed pictures of recent weeks, the exhibition focuses on the endangered species of Africa and its breathtaking landscape. Conceived as a double exhibition, Silke Lauffs and Nick Brandt compliment each other through different dimensions and enable a new and sensuous experience of the African continent.