Thomas Demand: A Panel Discussion
Thursday, April 14, 6:00 p.m.
Titus 2
The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53 Street
New York, NY 10019-5497
(212)708-9400
Photographs can seem convincingly real or strangely artificial. The work of German photographer Thomas Demand, on view at MoMA through May 30, achieves a disquieting balance between the two. Born in 1964, Demand began as a sculptor and took up photography to record his ephemeral paper constructions. In 1993 he turned the tables, henceforth making constructions for the sole purpose of photographing them. Demand begins with a preexisting image culled from the media, usually of a political event, which he translates into a life-size model made of colored paper and cardboard. His handcrafted facsimiles of architectural spaces and natural environments are built in the image of other images. Thus, his photographs are triply removed from the scenes or objects they purport to depict. Once they have been photographed, the models are destroyed. Demand recently began to make 35mm films, setting his cinematic still images in motion. Combining craftsmanship and conceptualism in equal parts, Demand pushes the medium of photography toward uncharted frontiers. His originality has won him recognition as one of the most innovative artists of his generation.
This interdisciplinary panel of scholars provides art historical, cinematic, and architectural perspectives on Thomas Demand’s photographs. Roxana Marcoci, curator of the exhibition Thomas Demand, moderates a discussion between Ulrich Baer, Associate Professor of German and Comparative Literature, New York University; Wolfgang Becker, Film Director, X Filme Creative Pool, Berlin; Beatriz Colomina, Professor of History and Theory, Princeton University School of Architecture; and the artist.
Tickets can be purchased at MoMA’s lobby information desk and the Film and Media desk.
For more information, please call (212) 708-9781, email adultprograms@moma.org, or visit www.moma.org/events/adult/
A Conversation with Thomas Demand
Saturday, April 16, 3:00 p.m.
Presented at the Goethe-Institut New York (1014 Fifth Avenue). Moderated by Roxana Marcoci
Admission: Tickets can be reserved by calling (212) 439-8700, and can be picked up at the Goethe-Institut New York on the day of the event.
The exhibition is made possible by Angelo, Gordon & Co. Generous support is provided by Mimi and Peter Haas, Ninah and Michael Lynne, and The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art. Additional funding is provided by The Contemporary Arts Council and The Junior Associates of The Museum of Modern Art. The accompanying publication is made possible by Anna Marie and Robert F. Shapiro.