Christiane Baumgartner

On or Off Signals

By Christiane Baumgartner

June 26th, 2009

Woodcutting is the original and most basic technique of image reproduction. I thought it would be fascinating to combine this form with a much newer technique of reproduction by carving a video still into soft wood and then hand-printing the image-a process which can take up to ten months for an individual woodcut.

Video footage of roads and military aircraft is used in order to create a contrast between the rapidity of the video images and the slowness of the technique-between high speed and almost a standstill.

An interesting dichotomy develops between the video as digital imaging, and the woodcut as an analogue image of white and black lines: on-or-off signals. The subject material displays an interest in speed, traffic, and activity, and also in machinery: of the scientific legacy of human beings. But it also highlights a fascination with the voyeuristic nature of humans in times of catastrophe. However it is important that these images are of violence in general and become universal — these planes could be dropping bombs anywhere, this motorway could be anywhere.

These prints can be viewed at the Alan Cristea Gallery, Cork Street, London, W1, or online at www.alancristea.com.

ALL IMAGES © THE ARTIST/ALAN CRISTEA GALLERY, LONDON

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Gary O

February 3rd, 2009
9:02 AM

Those who find Douglas Murray boring, repetitive and a tad angry have absolutely no idea of the danger we all are in. What Mr Murray has to say needs to be shouted from every rooftop in the country. Sadly, many have just switched off and have buried their heads in the sand hoping that this torrent of Islamic onslaught will pass away soon and normal business will resume – but it will not unless there are more like Mr Murray who are not afraid to speak out. I for one applaud his work and more power to him.