CURATED: HEIN GRAVENHORST

Hein Gravenhorst (*1937) is a co-founder of generative photography, a genre of photography that aims to generate logically comprehensible aesthetic structures based on defined programs. This genre was related to Max Bense's Generative Aesthetic, which provided a principle for generating specific operations methodically.

Gravenhorst's contribution to Generative Photography can be traced back to 1968, when he exhibited alongside Gottfried Jäger, Pierre Cordier, and Kilian Breier at the Bielefelder Kunsthaus. The exhibition, titled GENERATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY, defined its program and featured photographers who had an aesthetic principle in common. The aim was to achieve an optional and functional reference of all elements involved in the construction of the aesthetic structure.


Gravenhorst's oeuvre between 1965 and 1972 is particularly noteworthy, with several series featuring rare, unique specimens. Since 2001, he has created purely digital works on the computer as a continuation of generative photography. These images bear no titles or series designations, and the artist deliberately refrains from describing them. He sees them as "energy fields" that enter into spiritual communication with the viewer.


Gravenhorst's works are part of international private and public collections, with the Collection Peter C. Ruppert, Würzburg, 2007 and the MoMA, New York, having acquired his works in recent years. In addition to his artistic practice, Gravenhorst has also turned to alternative medicine as a therapist since the mid-1970s. He currently lives and works in Berlin.	

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EXHIBITION

SIEMENSSTERN TABLEAU BLACK is an artwork created in 1966 by Hein Gravenhorst, a photographer known for his involvement in Generative Photography. In 1968, Gravenhorst participated in an exhibition at the Bielefelder Kunsthaus alongside Gottfried Jäger, Pierre Cordier, and Kilian Breier, where Generative Photography was not only the title but also defined the program of the exhibition. 
Generative Photography aimed to create aesthetic structures based on defined programs using photochemical, photo-optical, or photo-technical operations. The goal was to achieve optional and functional references within the construction of the aesthetic structure. This genre of photography was influenced by Max Bense's Generative Aesthetic, which provided principles for generating specific operations methodically. 
Gravenhorst's works from 1965 to 1972 are highly regarded, and this particular artwork, SIEMENSSTERN TABLEAU BLACK, is part of his impressive oeuvre. The artwork features the Siemens Star, a geometric pattern generated through the combined rotation-translation number system of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16. It is presented on silver gelatin paper, measuring 59.5 x 49.5 cm. The artwork is in good condition and is a unique piece. 
Hein Gravenhorst's works have been acquired by international private and public collections, including the Collection Peter C. Ruppert in Würzburg and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. In addition to his artistic career, Gravenhorst has also pursued alternative medicine as a therapist since the mid-1970s. He currently resides and works in Berlin. 
The artwork is hand-signed by the artist and dated on the reverse side with a pencil, adding to its authenticity and provenance.

Siemensstern Tableau Black

The exhibition presents pioneers from different generations, early 1950s until today, working in the field of generative art. On view will be, among others, plotter drawings, generative photography, sculptures, and NFTs from 30 international artists. In collaboration with ELEMENTUM.ART.

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HEIN GRAVENHORST

ART

EXHIBITION