"This photographic inventory of her hometown from 1979 to 1983 analyzes its architecture and topography as a way of disclosing the structures of local life. Wittmar's interest was sparked by drastic changes in the 1970s, which saw parts of the village replaced with increasingly interchangeable, standardized architecture, and by extension perhaps standardized culture and lifestyle.
As that new construction and new taste was taking hold, a contrasting yearning for 'home' arose, which Medebach explores. WITTMAR's renunciation of inflammatory moments and her largely formal stringency distinguish these images, which can also be read as a German reaction to the American 'New Topographics' movement of the late 1970s." (publisher's note, © Steidl, 2007)
About the photographer, Petra WITTMAR (b. 1955):
Petra WITTMAR studied photography at the Universität Essen GHS/Folkwang from 1977 to 1983.
Since then she has been working as a freelance photographer on projects dealing with European architecture from the early 20th century and on the topics of urban and suburban spaces.
She lives in Essen and since 1986 she has been working together with Ulrich Deimel.
As that new construction and new taste was taking hold, a contrasting yearning for 'home' arose, which Medebach explores. WITTMAR's renunciation of inflammatory moments and her largely formal stringency distinguish these images, which can also be read as a German reaction to the American 'New Topographics' movement of the late 1970s." (publisher's note, © Steidl, 2007)
About the photographer, Petra WITTMAR (b. 1955):
Petra WITTMAR studied photography at the Universität Essen GHS/Folkwang from 1977 to 1983.
Since then she has been working as a freelance photographer on projects dealing with European architecture from the early 20th century and on the topics of urban and suburban spaces.
She lives in Essen and since 1986 she has been working together with Ulrich Deimel.
- Ed(s)/Author(s)
- Hubert von Amelunxen, Susanne Lange
- Format
- English ed., HC with dust jacket, 28 x 25 cm., 152 pp., 50ß b/w ills., text language: English (Amelunxen-essay & interview bilingual, in English and German)