Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case MB2H, Shelf DR30

Untitled (Spin)

Photograph
2008 (made)
Artist/Maker

Breuer has experimented with photograms, pinhole imagery and, more recently, chromogenic and gelatin silver papers before and after development. In some work, he combines more conventional printing techniques with physical intervention, for example by making a contact print of a polaroid which has been shot with a rifle, or by abrading a photogram. Breuer exposes the paper to varying degrees of light, which results in differing shades of grey or black, before stripping down the individual layers of emulsion with elements such as fire or sandpaper. The resulting images emphasise Breuer’s subversion of concepts that are inherent to conventional interpretations of photography, such as the photograph as a document or purveyor of truth. They also clearly convey his preoccupations with the sublime and with creating works that are intrinsically material and are made up of marks on a photographic surface that is usually pristine. In consultation with the artist, a selection of works to consider for acquisition has been made that represents the full spectrum of his materials and techniques.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleUntitled (Spin) (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Cameraless photograph made exposing a polaroid in a camera spinning on a record player. Unique object
Brief description
Photograph by Marco Breuer, 'Untitled (Spin)', 2008, polaroid (exposed in camera spinning on record player)
Physical description
Abstract photograph with a whirlpool-like composition in green, blue and purple
Dimensions
  • Paper height: 11cm
  • Paper width: 8.5cm
Styles
Marks and inscriptions
Signed, titled and dated on verso in pencil
Credit line
Given by Marco Breuer
Summary
Breuer has experimented with photograms, pinhole imagery and, more recently, chromogenic and gelatin silver papers before and after development. In some work, he combines more conventional printing techniques with physical intervention, for example by making a contact print of a polaroid which has been shot with a rifle, or by abrading a photogram. Breuer exposes the paper to varying degrees of light, which results in differing shades of grey or black, before stripping down the individual layers of emulsion with elements such as fire or sandpaper. The resulting images emphasise Breuer’s subversion of concepts that are inherent to conventional interpretations of photography, such as the photograph as a document or purveyor of truth. They also clearly convey his preoccupations with the sublime and with creating works that are intrinsically material and are made up of marks on a photographic surface that is usually pristine. In consultation with the artist, a selection of works to consider for acquisition has been made that represents the full spectrum of his materials and techniques.
Collection
Accession number
E.746-2017

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Record createdNovember 22, 2017
Record URL
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