BEIJING, Oct. 24 -- More and more these days, contemporary art is being
created with high technology.
Take photography. Some photographers go beyond the realm of light and
exposure even utilizing scientific devices such as X-ray machines.
German artist Stephen Reusse, for example, uses an infrared camera and
laser projector to shoot photos and animations.
The Park Ryu Sook Gallery is now presenting Reusse's first solo exhibition
in Shanghai following his debut at ShContemporary 2008 last month.
Reusse, whose works focus on fundamental issues related to visibility and
perception, incorporates the latest technology into his artistic expression
using mechanisms such as thermography and lasers.
Infrared thermography, or thermal imaging, is a type of infrared imaging
science. Thermographic cameras detect radiation in the infrared range of the
electromagnetic spectrum and produce images of that radiation.
Since infrared radiation is emitted by all objects based on their
temperatures, thermography makes it possible to "see" one's environment with or
without visible illumination.
The amount of radiation emitted by an object increases with temperature,
therefore thermography allows one to see variations in temperature.
When viewed by a thermographic camera, warm objects stand out well against
cooler backgrounds humans and other warm-blooded animals become easily visible
against the environment, day or night.
In Reusse's work "Wolves," the thermal image allows one to see wolves in a
forest at night but in dark blue, purple, red, orange and yellow. Reusse visited
that forest many times taking many pictures of wild wolves at night.
According to the radiation imaging mechanism, dark blue represents
something that is about 20 degrees Celsius or below such as trees and earth.
Purple represents something at around 25 degrees, such as wolves' fur. Red
and orange indicate about 30 degrees which would cover the wolves' faces and
ears while yellow indicates 35 degrees or above ?? the wolves' eyes and tongues.
"Similar to the trace of smell, the body leaves a trace of its own warmth,"
Reusse explains. "The perception of smell and warmth is subject to a different
attribute than a visual image."
Born in 1954 in Pinnerberg, Germany, Reusse has been studying thermography
since 1982. In his early works, he shot portraits and people in scenarios.
Later, he combined the scientific technology that he has mastered with
photography, to realize his idea of making the invisible visible.
Also included in this exhibition is his latest laser work "Monkey Talk
2008." It is a nine-minute animation projected in green laser onto a wall where
the laser creates the outline of monkeys climbing and swinging on trees.
Date: through October 30, 10:30 am-7:00 pm
Address: 78 Changping Rd
Tel: 021-6267-7693
(Source: Shanghai Daily/ Agencies)
