Karl Blossfeldt: Art Forms in Nature

About

Karl Blossfeldt: Art Forms in Nature is a Hayward Touring exhibition which presents an original portfolio of 40 photogravures from 1932, entitled 'Wundergarten der Natur', edited by the artist and published in the year of his death. The exhibition presents an opportunity to witness an exemplary set of Blossfedt's signature close-up images of plants and flora.

Blossfeldt (1865-1932) is regarded as one of the defining photographers of the twentieth century for his exceptional contribution to the art through his intricate botanical photographs. During his career, which spanned over three decades and included 6,000 photographs, Blossfeldt developed homemade cameras and lenses which enabled him to magnify his subjects by up to 30 times. In doing so he captured the microcosmic aesthetic of his specimens and revealed the underlying structures of nature, which until then remained unexplored.

His photographs became highly celebrated amongst early modernists and Surrealists during the late 1920s.

Wundergarten der Natur, 1932 © Estate of Karl Blossfeldt Courtesy Hayward Gallery Touring.

With thanks to Arts Council England, players of People's Postcode Lottery, and The Saintbury Trust for their support of this exhibition. A Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition from Southbank Centre, London.