Contact
May 5 to June 1, 2014
Miejska Galeria Sztuki, Zakopane, Poland

"Kellner's photographs are artistically idiosyncratic, mosaic- and kaleidoscope-like, constructive-deconstructivist pictorial arrangements, composed with camera and film material." Stefanie Scheit-Koppitz
 
In his exhibition "Kontakt" at the Städtische Galerie Zakopane, Thomas Kellner, on the occasion of the 25-year partnership between Siegen and Zakopane, juxtaposes some of the most important works of the past years with early groups of works. In 2013, the Siegen-based fine art photographer made guest appearances with the exhibition at the Bad Nauheimer Kunstverein and the Kunsthaus Rhenania in Cologne.
Thomas Kellner, born in 1966, is one of the fine art photographers with an international reputation and a unique visual language. Already in the 90s, still in the final phase of his studies, Thomas Kellner began extensive experiments in photography. After that, between 1993–1997,following a study visit to Paris, the foundations of his current visual language emerged. The diversity of the early pictorial experiments is an expression of an interplay between camera, conception and the author's direction.
Kellner experimented in cycles with different visual languages until he finally found his unique, multi-perspectival and deconstructivist visual language. From an initial sketch about the Eiffel Tower as a tribute to Robert Delaunay and Cubism in Paris, Kellner's turn to architecture and to increasingly complex compositions with the material of 35mm film began. In the groups of works in the series "Tango Metropolis," "Dancing Walls," and "Brasilia," Kellner not only makes the photographed object sway, but also makes it sound in large-format contact sheets and hundreds of individual shots.
In the exhibition we show some of his most important projects on the way to his now distinctive images, starting from the early editions, through the multi-pinhole cameras, the Venice project, the first contact sheet architectures from Paris and the most important works from China, Brasilia and Mexico, as well as the latest works "Neuschwanstein" and "Tokyo Tower".
 
Miejska Galeria Sztuki
Krupowki 41
34-500 Zakopane, Poland

Zakopane is a picturesque town located in the Polish mountains, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage. As a popular tourist destination, Zakopane lures visitors with its majestic Tatra Mountains, steep peaks, and lush valleys. The town itself is famous for its unique architectural style known as the Zakopane Style, characterized by traditional wooden structures and folk art. Zakopane offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and climbing, as well as a vibrant cultural scene with folklore, music, and traditional events. With its captivating blend of nature, culture, and adventure, Zakopane is truly a charming place to explore. Zakopane is twin-city with Siegen in Germany

In Zakopane, there is the "Municipal Gallery of Modern Art" (Galeria Sztuki Wspó?czesnej w Zakopanem). This gallery is dedicated to showcasing contemporary artworks and plays a significant role in promoting the art scene in Zakopane. The gallery regularly organizes exhibitions that cover a wide range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, installations, and digital art. It provides artists with a platform to showcase their works and fosters dialogue between artists, art enthusiasts, and the local community. The Municipal Gallery in Zakopane is a place where visitors can explore Poland's contemporary art scene and experience the creative atmosphere of the region. In 2014 on the 25th anniversary of the sister-cityship between Zakopane and Siegen they organised a number of exhibitions with Siegen artists, like Peter Paul Rubens and Thomas Kellner.