photomontage Photomontage The technique of making a picture

photomontage

Photomontage The technique of making a picture by assembling pieces of photographs; often in combination with other types of graphic material.

“I can make a work of art out of the contents of this wastebasket!” ~Pablo Picasso

Barbara Kruger Untitled (I shop therefore I am) 111" by 113" photographic silkscreen/vinyl 1987

Romare Bearden Three Folk Musicians, 1967 Collage of various papers with paint and graphite on canvas. 127. 3 x 152. 4 cm

2 types of montage 1 Uses two or more negatives to create a seamless image in the darkroom. Often combined images with text. 2 Combined photographs by hand to form an image that was then rephotographed.

Photomontage—Victorian Era In the darkroom: - printing multiple negatives to make one composite image German Postcard Anon 1902

Photomontage—Dada • Cultural movement after WW 1—antiwar, anarchist, anti-bourgeois • Early photomontage work was collaborative • "Our whole purpose was to integrate objects from the world of machines and industry into the world of art. ” • earliest Dada montages were used as covers and illustrations

• From the beginning, photography purists saw the montage of photographs as illegitimate—even though the manipulation of photographs was popular from the advent of photography. • It was the members of the Berlin Dada group that decided on the name “photomontage” to distinguish it between the art of collage.

John Heartfield • From Berlin • Known for anti-Nazi political activism. • Produced his images in the darkroom. • In order to publish his controversial propaganda, he created his own publishing house. • His images were often more simple. Through Light to Night, 1933

John Heartfield Cover and Illustrations for Kurt Tucholsky

This piece is Hearfield’s interpretation of the Nazi military slogan. Blood dripping from the swastika infers that the military (weapons and soldiers) was all Germany needed for victory. John Heartfield Blood and Iron 1934

This piece was used as an anti -Hitler poster in the 1932 election. It refers to the financial backing Hitler received from wealthy industrialists who feared Germany would vote for a Communist government. John Heartfield Adolph The Superman: Swallows Gold and Spouts Junk 1932

Hannah Höch • Was a “partner” to Hausmann • Her work often approached the issue of feminism. • She eventually moved to a small home outside of Berlin, where many of her pieces were later discovered in a driedout well in her garden. Balance, 1925

Hannah Höch Grotesque, 1963 Hannah Höch Cut With The Kitchen Knife 1919

Hannah Höch Burst Unity 1955 Hannah Höch Strong-Armed Men 1931

Kurt Schwitters • Rather than using photographs, Schwitters found his materials on the streets • Read more about him Kurt Schwitters Kots 1930

Kurt Schwitters Merz 163 1920 Kurt Schwitters Merzbau

Raoul Hausmann • Very egotistical • His work often showed his wild and free personality because they lacked inhibition. • Used color in his work. • His work focused more on the art world than on politics. Dada Conquers, 1920

Raoul Hausmann The Art Critic, 1919

Raoul Hausmann Tatlin at Home, 1920

In his article "Definition of Photomontage", Hausmann seems to pin down its power: "…its contrast of structure and dimension, rough against smooth, aerial photograph against close -up, perspective against flat surface, the utmost technical flexibility and the most lucid formal dialectics are equally possible…The ability to manage the most striking contrasts, to the achievement of perfect states of equilibrium…ensures the medium a long and richly productive span of life…"

Other Artists Andreas Gursky Ratingen Swimming Pool Read About This Photo Marianne Brandt Parisian Impressions

Photomontage— 1980 s • Revitalization of Dada photomontage • Digital technology makes montage more commonly known

Peter Kennard • Began a painter, but dissatisfied with painting's lack of immediacy • Deals with armaments and poverty in work • Read more about Peter Kennard Protect and Survive 1981

Defended to Death, 1982 Broken Missile, 1980

Photomontage—Present Day • Technology allows for a myriad of ways to create photomontage • Deal with ethics and copyright

Sean Hillen The Lia Fail of Waterford, 1997 An Unfortunate and Impossible Explosion of the core of the THORP reactor, viewed from The Taj Mahal of Carlingford, 1994

Irelantis,

Andy Dixon Website scroll to the bottom for his montage work

Resources • http: //parsons. danamcclure. com/2 DIS_ S 08/? p=158

Photomontage - often selected media aside from photography, including printed and hand-written fragments of text: letters, journal entries, newspaper headlines and columns, advertisements, packaging, instructions, posters, and fliers. Though considered a mixed media, montage differs from collage, a form of art containing sharp, cut, or torn edges.

• A few choice picks from the great photomontagists of postwar Berlin. You can see how these images built the foundation for the future of pop art. This work is so much smarter, more playful and more tactile than any of the computer/photoshop produced that we've all seen. I know there a few artists employing these techniques who have been getting serious consideration recently. Unfortunately the computer has enabled anything to be possible. Thereby making everything it produces considerably of less value.