WARMENHOVEN & VENDERBOS Blog » Pattern

Claudia Rogge | individualism, reproducibility and mass

W&V — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:04:56 +0000

In the contemporary art scene, German artist Claudia Rogge is an exceptional person. She continually photographs crowds of practically identical people , all dressed in the same way and holding the same pose to create a unique mass identity. Arranged either in repetition, tessellation or in choreographed groups, her figures represent the unique little tiles that form an intricate mosaic. Man himself turns into a pattern, into an ornament. At the same time there is the question of whether the conceptual classification is justified. Are they really patterns or ornaments? Might they not simply be masses or forms? It seems, however, that we can cope best with the conceptual term of pattern.

Although Claudia Rogge shows us patterns, her works no longer shows an indistinct and homogeneous element but one made up of minuscule differences that need to be sought out carefully in each single photograph. The disposition of the persons depicted reminds spectators of their own movements and postures, which are no mere coincidences but basic dimensions of the sense of social direction. Postures and emotions correspond with each other. Analysing the body language is helpful for a better understanding of other people. Claudio Rogge plays with perception, which she carries on. She shows her wish to bring things closer together in terms of space and time. “If you pause motionless”, says photographer Robert Doisneau, “people will look at you.”

This is one of the elements which makes Claudia Rogge´s pictures so attractive. A motionlessness that repeats itself and thus appears to be movement within stillness.They can be approached in the same way one would approach a still life. With Vermeer, says philosopher Paul Virilio, the living world corresponds with a still life. With Claudia Rogge it seems the same yet with a slight difference: she has raised the living world of mere illusion to the status of an art icon. Our age, in which the mass media are left to themselves, has accomplished the step from the necessary to the superfluous. Claudia Rogge turns our gaze back to the aesthetic glossy print with its mass of people returning to us the individual within us.

Photos by Claudia Rogge | Claudia Rogge website | Sources: Marianne Hoffmann

You might like these articles:

Diary 280710

W&V — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:23:08 +0000

Designer diary photo (snapshots) entry.

WARMENHOVEN & VENDERBOS | Diary 280710

You might like these articles:

Diary 070510

W&V — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:28:46 +0000

Diary photo (snapshots) entry

WARMENHOVEN & VENDERBOS | Diary 070510

You might like these articles:

Diary 100410

W&V — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:18:55 +0000

Diary photo (snapshots) entry

WARMENHOVEN & VENDERBOS | Diary 100410

You might like these articles:

Diary 100310

W&V — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:09:08 +0000

Diary photo entry

WARMENHOVEN & VENDERBOS | Diary 100310

You might like these articles:

Design diary 170210

W&V — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:55:58 +0000

Collection-AW1011 design diary photo (snapshots) entry: fashion, development,mailing, brochure, photo-shoot, video,pattern upgrades, pattern design, sales, production.

Photo 3 pant: P1011-47-35

Photo 6 Dress: D 1011-33-35

Photo 8 Detail: Dress 1011-49-36

WARMENHOVEN & VENDERBOS | Diary 170210

You might like these articles:

Body moulds & cloned in black

W&V — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:13:34 +0000

Body moulds and cloned in black (Clothing sculptures). Conceptual objects: exact tailored copies of the bodies of Warmenhoven & Venderbos translated into a rubber coated fabric and black leather.

From the WARMENHOVEN & VENDERBOS archives | Body moulds | More Warmenhoven & Venderbos projects |

You might like these articles:

The skin of(f)

W&V — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:07:23 +0000

From the WARMENHOVEN & VENDERBOS archives.

The skin of(f) is a small installation in which a step by step example of the conceptual approach of W&V is shown.

By means of adhesive tape a 3-dimensional mould of the upper body of Venderbos was created. The mould was reduced to a 2-dimensional pattern through coupe and cut. This part provided the basic pattern for a garment, in this case a skirt.

The Skin of(f) installation was bought by the Historical museum located in The Schielandhuis, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Detail from the skin of(f) installation.

Overview snapshot from the skin of(f) installation.

From the WARMENHOVEN & VENDERBOS archives | The skin of(f) | More Warmenhoven & Venderbos projects |

You might like these articles: