Thomas Nölle's exhibition 'By the Way' at the Museo del Romanticismo presents his 'non-photography' which challenges aesthetic objectivity and realism. The series explores landscapes intervened by humans, focusing on the dialogue between inner and outer worlds through a unique printing technique on cotton paper.
The Museo del Romanticismo in Madrid hosts 'By the Way', an exhibition by German photographer Thomas Nölle, which critically examines the nature of photography and its relation to realism in the contemporary art world. Nölle's radical approach champions a poetic sensibility, moving away from the conventional faithfulness to 'reality' often found in photography. The series, originating in 2008, intensifies his exploration of vision through car, train, and airplane windows, investigating the relationship between the fluidity of camera movement and the ephemerality of light. The resulting works, described as 'non-photography,' prioritize the visualization of dialogues between internal and external worlds, inviting viewers to project their own perceptions onto the sensitive spaces created. This approach aligns with Romantic themes of subjective engagement with landscape, particularly nature altered by human presence.
Nölle, who has resided in Spain since 1988, employs a printing technique on cotton paper that lends tactile qualities to his work and emphasizes the painterly texture of the images. The exhibition features a selection of works from the 'By the Way' series and is accompanied by a limited edition artist's book of the same title. Thomas Nölle, born in Germany and based in Barcelona, has a diverse visual arts practice spanning photography, painting, and installation, with his works exhibited internationally. The exhibition is curated by Claudia Gianetti.