Floral visions

“The Secret Service of Flowers” – a nice pun, is the title of the new photography exhibition at Galerie Anzenberger in Vienna´s former Anker bread factory. It opened last week, and I went to the opening night.

The Gallery currently offers a sort of refuge from the urban every day, a place to figuratively breathe in a sweet fragrance of beauty and tranquility. Their current exhibition celebrates the inherent beauty and symbolism of the delicate wonders of flowers in several artistic positions. From February to April seven talented artists, both Austrian and international, are showcasing their unique interpretations of the flower theme, utilizing diverse photography-based techniques. They’ve crafted works brimming with aesthetics, fantasy, and poetry.

Stepping into the gallery is akin to venturing into a vibrant wall garden, each artwork blossoming with individual expression.

F & D Cartier are a closely-knit husband-and-wife artist duo who have been cultivating a significant body of work from 1998 to 2007. The series comprises photograms—pictures formed solely by sunlight interacting with light-sensitive paper enveloping carefully selected objets trouvés arranged by the artists. Compare this to Jutta Fischel´s photographs below — which are not photograms at all.

Jutta Fischel’s photographic explorations delve deeply into the enchanting realms of transparency, fading, and disappearance. Her works grapple with the profound questions of when blurriness sharpens our perception of the magical in the world and how much must be visible to be truly recognized. The photos in this series, “White Garden – Hibernation”, are whispy, blurry flower portraits in black and white, with a look of ink drawings or photograms, and printed directly onto metal plates that will rust when placed outdoors. Jutta´s artistic expression often takes the form of serial and installative works, intentionally conceived for the open spaces, embracing a deliberate transformation of materials. Her creations explore the interplay between what is seen and unseen, each frame a testament to the delicate allure found in the garden just outside her home. She captures the ephemeral magic we can find in our surroundings if we bother to look.

In Laurent Ziegler’s “Blosme” series, the focus is on capturing the essence of beauty. Through photographing light projections involving fabrics, flowers, and fragments of broken glass, Ziegler unveils intricate, ever-evolving, and delicate structures. The process of discovering narratives within these elaborate compositions became a tranquil endeavour for him, prompting a heightened awareness of the photographer’s own fragile existence and the underlying concept of impermanence. Reflecting on this, Ziegler invokes the wisdom of the Greek philosopher Plutarch, who remarked that if the nature being measured shares the same conditions as the time measuring it, then this nature lacks permanence or being. Instead, it is in a perpetual state of becoming and perishing in relation to time.

I am completely enamoured of the vibrantly colourful still-life portraits of flowers, actually compositions made from flower parts, in Natalie Stromaier’s series, “Unattainable Beauty”. This is a poignant exploration of the artificial construction of beauty and the pervasive presence of unrealistic beauty standards in the media. Through her lens, Stromaier delves into the intricate world of still-life flower photography, weaving a narrative meant to challenges society’s perceptions of beauty. The level of detail in these photographs is incredible. Incidentally, you can watch Natalie at work in some short videos on her website.

Beyond the main exhibition, the Collector’s Room provides a glimpse into the world of Regina Anzenberger, showcasing her latest works from the series “Gstettn.” This captivating series, first presented within the framework of the inaugural Klima Biennale Wien, explores the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world, urging us to reflect on our impact and embrace sustainable practices.

Regina Anzenberger´s own series “Gstettn” is a multi-faceted work. A “gstettn” (Viennese dialect) is a haven of untamed wilderness and unrestrained freedom on fallow land, usually in cities where construction sites have disturbed the soil and allowed flora to spring up. There is one such Gstettn just behind the Anker bakery. Regina Anzenberger, an artist with a keen eye for capturing the essence of forgotten spaces, embarked on a four-year journey from 2017 to 2021 to document this plot of land before the construction apartment blocks. Once the site of Europe’s largest bread factory, the nature that has sprung up here stands as a stament to nature’s resilience. Regina tells a visual story in several captivating “chapters”, offering a vivid portrayal of the cyclical dance between man and nature. Regina extends her photographs with delicate drawings and incorporates found objects. Her work stands as a poignant reminder of the transient beauty that nature creates wherever and whenever it has a chance.

Whether you’re a fine art photography aficionado, a garden enthusiast, or simply seeking a moment of quiet viewing pleasure, “The Secret Service of Flowers” promises a beautiful sensory experience. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of flower visuals of a different kind.

Don’t miss your chance to witness this gorgeous exhibition at the AnzenbergerGallery. Visit their website for further details and opening hours. Let your spirit blossom!

What:

Works by artists: Denis Brudna, F & D Cartier, Jutta Fischel, Natalie Strohmaier, Heather F. Wetzel, Yelena Zhavoronkova, Laurent Ziegler, and of course Regina Anzenberger.

Where:

Galerie Anzenberger, Absberggasse 27, 1100 Vienna (inside the old Anker bread factory)

When:

February 1 – April 30, 2024

Opening hours:
Wed – Fri 12 to 6 pm or by appointment

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EXHIBITION PHOTOS © KARIN SVADLENAK-GOMEZ