Exhibitions

Cliffs of Moher, 2000 ŠAxel Boesten

Traffic Island | Axel Boesten

3rd July - 14th August 2003

The Gallery of Photography is proud to present the Irish premiere of work by the German artist, Axel Boesten.

Traffic Island was developed in Ireland during 2000 and 2001. Taking 'traffic' in the sense of 'internet traffic', it explores the complex relationship between modernity and the natural landscape. In Ireland, these issues are especially fraught because here the myth of unspoilt nature is confronted by a highly developed information technology sector.

At one level, Boesten's work can be firmly located within the German tradition of objective colour documentary. Yet it also invites viewers to make their own associations from the images. In this way, the work takes on a powerful metaphorical charge and each image becomes a symbol of our current predicament. From trendy bars in Dublin to the windswept fields of Achill, from Croagh Patrick to CityWest Business Park, Traffic Island presents a vision of Ireland poised on the brink of an uncertain future.

The exhibition is accompanied by a limited edition publication, available exclusively in the Gallery Bookshop priced at €7.50.

About the artist: Born in Rochester, N.Y in 1968, Axel Boesten studied photography at the University of Essen. He has exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions in Europe. His work is included in recent publications including Contemporary German Photography (Taschen Verlag, Cologne) and 50 Years - German Association for Photography (Steidl, Gottingen). He lives and works in Bochum, Germany.

Press Information: To arrange an interview with the artist, or for further information, please contact Tanya Kiang, Director on
t. +353-1 6714654 or send an email to info@galleryofphotography.ie