I visited the exhibition "Hyperrealism" in Hagen, Germany

October 26, 2016

I visited the exhibition "Hyperrealism" in Hagen, Germany

There are pieces of art I want to see.

I am curious studying paintings that look like photographies! Especially those that reflect the american way of life in the 1960ies. Last saturday I took the chance to visit the exhibition.

In the middle of the 19th century, artists aimed to show 'reality' instead of a glorifying classizism and romanticism. The so-called Realism was 'born'. Photorealism is a genre of art that encompasses painting, drawing and other graphic media, in which an artist studies a photograph and then attempts to reproduce the image as realistically as possible in another medium. Hyperrealism is a genre of painting and sculpture resembling a high-resolution photography.

The first generation of Photorealists (1960ies/1970ies)

The Bride (John Salt, 1969)

Oil on Canvas

Without title (Don Eddy, 1971)

Acrylic on canvas

Wheel of fortune (Vanitas), (Audrey Flack, 1977-78)

Oil and crylic on canvas

A modern memento mori

White chevy - red trailer (John Salt, 1975)

Airbrushed Acrylic on canvas

Ochre Couch (Jack Mendenhall, 1975)

Oil on canvas

Schaefer beer (Robert Cottingham, 1976)

Oil on canvas

Self Portrait (Chuck Close, 1977)

Etching

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The second generation of artists (1980ies/1990ies) follow the pioneers of the first generation. The movement spreads and soon, european artists discover the possibilities of photorealism. Due to the various origins, the themes vary, too. Critics complain that the artists just copy instead of creating art.

The Rookery (Ben Johnson, 1995)

Acrylic on canvas

Paragon (Charles Bell, 1988)

Oil on canvas

212, House with Snow (Rod Penner, 1998)

Acrylic on canvas

Carroussels (Don Jacot, 1992)

Oil on canvas

Main street (Anthony Brunelli, 1994)

Oil on canvas

Orange St. and Main, Fredericksburg, Texas (Rod Penner, 1999)

Acrylic on Cardboard

America's Favourite (Ralph Goings, 1989)

Oil on canvas

Mobile Reentry Vehicle (Gus Heinze, 1990)

Oil on wood

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3rd generation (Millennium until today) - the artists use digital photo optic technics. The pictures have an extremely high resolution. The artists aim to be as perfect as possible and want to reach complex interpretations: not just copying but creating art according to the benefits of technical improvements.