Crime Scenes

Usually hidden at the edge of the forest or in clearings, in ensembles with trees, bushes and electrical pylons, and limited to six basic shapes, the architectural diversity of these anonymous wooden sculptures in nature is mesmerizing to behold.

These high seats serve as vantage points for hunters, strategically positioned above the wind to evade detection by wildlife.

Helmut Giersiefen's lens transforms these structures beyond their utility into enigmatic Crime Scenes in analogue black and white.

For this series the artist selected Washi, a particular black and white film renowned for its unique qualities. Crafted in a small factory in Saint-Nazaire, France, Washi film is meticulously hand-coated onto Moriki paper, embodying the essence of its Japanese namesake, which translates to "handmade translucent paper."

With low sensitivity and high degradation, this orthochromatic film demands precision in assessing lighting conditions and contrast ranges.

In Crime Scenes, the artist employs Washi to imbue his images with an eerie atmosphere reminiscent of forensic investigations.

These analogue baryte prints offer remarkable tonal richness and striking graphic effects.

Giersiefen seamlessly intertwines typological motifs with the fundamental concept of photography, showcasing his mastery in experimenting with diverse film materials and processing techniques.

crime scenes

Latitude 43