Christian Voigt
A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME – SELECTED ARTWORKS
27 SEPTEMBER – 02 NOVEMBER 2024
Petra Gut Contemporary is proud to present the work of internationally acclaimed photographer Christian Voigt in his solo exhibition in their Zurich gallery.
A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME: SELECTED ARTWORKS presents a curated selection of Christian Voigt's large-scale, hyper-realistic images, which portray the man-made and natural world in extraordinarily vivid detail.
Renowned worldwide for his monumental works exploring the depths of the man-made and natural world, he brings the viewer on a journey of discovery and awe, peering through the shelves of historical libraries, breathing in the smell of mystery in abandoned bank vaults or uncovering ancient dinosaur fossils.
Born in 1961 in Munich, the artist studied in Berlin and Vancouver. He started his career in film and publishing before turning his focus to photography. Drawing on his travels and professional background, he combines his unique visual language with cutting-edge technology and years of experimentation to form a signature aesthetic that has attracted attention from the outset of his career.
His work, celebrated across the globe, has been exhibited in prestigious venues from Paris to New York, captivating and inspiring audiences worldwide. Now, Petra Gut Contemporary is proud to bring his extraordinary talent to Zurich, offering a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts and collectors to experience his work up close.
Christian Voigt's images evoke a deep sense of wonder, drawing the viewer into his universe. Drawing on his extensive travels, Voigt seeks to help us see the world anew, such as in this entrancing photo of the Austrian National Library. Nestled in the Wiener Hofburg, this revered building is a living testament to history and knowledge. Commissioned in 1722 by Charles VI, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the landmark building was brought to life by the renowned baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and his son Joseph Emanuel.
Christian Voigt, Austrian National Library, 2022The iconic pairs of columns that divide the wings are more than just architectural elements; they symbolise the Pillars of Hercules, representing claims to power and 'Constantia et Fortitudine', the motto of Charles VI, which translates to 'Constancy and Strength '. With a collection of over 12 million items, the Austrian National Library is the most extensive in Austria and houses one of the most valuable book collections globally, with items dating from 1501 to the present day, including two publications by Christian Voigt.
The artist also invites us to explore the more recent history, like in this eerie, deserted bank vault in Chicago. In the roaring Twenties, Chicago was a thrilling place, set to the intoxicating rhythm of jazz and blues. Prohibition created the enormously profitable bootlegging business, with the infamous Al Capone as its leader.
Christian Voigt, Safe 2265, 2015Today, the bank is just a memory. The original deposit boxes of the former vault, immortalised in the monumental Safe 2265, now contain rust and recollections of a former era. The bank's transformation, once a bustling hub of financial activity, now a relic of the past, invokes a powerful sense of nostalgia. The original box, which sits alongside his monumental photography, is the last vestige from those golden years. Voigt's art has the power to transform the mundane into the extraordinary, inviting the viewer to reconsider their perception of the world.
On entering the former vault, religious symbolism recalls a Christian tabernacle—when money was Chicago's religion. Each box conceals a secret, a philosophy of wealth and accumulation, and a few murky tales. Isn't our entire comprehension of the past somewhat like a safe?
His Evolution series, inspired by a photo he took in the Natural History Museum of London, asks the question: What were these colossal creatures that once dominated our planet? By presenting these fossils in pristine museum conditions, he accentuates their otherworldliness, drawing the viewer into a lost era.
Christian Voigt, Stegosaurus | Triceratops Duo, 2018Their weathered texture, juxtaposed with stark lighting on a black background, creates a surreal finish that underscores the vast temporal distance between us and these extraordinary beings.
While every detail of these fascinating creatures has been captured, the enigma of these formidable giants endures.
These striking images are the result of a meticulous and painstakingly planned series of large-format exposures, often taken over many hours. They are subsequently layered and exposed again before the final printing process to create a single, harmonious image. This dedication to detail and precision results in a hyper-realistic, distinct world, drawing the viewer into his unique dimension and inviting them to appreciate the depth and complexity of his work.
Always on the lookout for fresh discoveries, Voigt's photographs are a testament to his tireless pursuit to enamour and inspire wonder in his audiences worldwide.
Experience a new perspective with Christian Voigt's remarkable exhibition at Petra Gut Contemporary in Zurich!
Can't make it to Zurich? You can browse the full collection here: https://petragut.com/collections/christian-voigt
