Inspiration: V&A

Quite frankly, I've no idea how I stumbled upon the V&A prints archive, and am even more baffled as to how I hadn't come across it before but I'm so glad it is now in my life! I am currently lusting after various wallpaper prints...my favourites are the Chinese ones from the 1800's and the William Morris. Prices start at £15 for an A4 print, I'd just love a collection of these in frames for my craft room!


It's around this time of year that I try and make a trip to see the exhibitions in London. One I'm particularly keen to see is the Shadow Catcher's exhibition, again at the V&A. From the V&A website:

"The essence of photography lies in its seemingly magical ability to fix shadows on light-sensitive surfaces. Normally, this requires a camera. Shadow Catchers, however, presents the work of five international contemporary artists - Floris Neusüss, Pierre Cordier, Susan Derges, Garry Fabian Miller and Adam Fuss - who work without a camera. Instead, they create images on photographic paper by casting shadows and manipulating light, or by chemically treating the surface of the paper.

Fuss, Adam. 1999, from the series 'My Ghost'

Images made with a camera imply a documentary role. In contrast, camera-less photographs show what has never really existed. They are also always 'an original' because they are not made from a negative. Encountered as fragments, traces, signs, memories or dreams, they leave room for the imagination, transforming the world of objects into a world of visions."

Derges, Susan. 2004, 'Eden 5'

It sounds and looks simply beautiful, and a far cry from my usual preference for Germanic utilitarianism. Perhaps I'm getting soft in my old age. The techniques sound fascinating as well, I really hope I get to catch this before it ends on February 20th.