An evaluation of our visual understanding of the world

The picture is first of all a visual event, and the realm between perception and recognition leaves plenty of room for our own projections. The Berlin-based artist Oliver Krebs dedicates himself to exploring these projections. In Signal & Noise, he shares his work with us. His pictorial approach is concerned with the search for hidden aspects beyond appearances, for verities behind the likeness. In this respect, Oliver Krebs regards his creative practice as artistic research.

The specific characteristics of the photographic image form the basis for his works. It is conspicuous how our view of the motifs in the pictures is disturbed. Whereby “disturbed” is not really the right word here. Rather, the ostensible disturbances – reflections, shadows, and light reflexes – are the actual subject. The quintessence of the images lies in the intrinsic visual value of these phenomena. The photographs are conceived in terms of visual impact. This interplay is what makes this type of street photography so unique. In this way, Oliver Krebs unfurls perceptual spaces that break with the usual narrative strategy of photography. The images instead create an associative space in which they stand only for themselves. Their self-representation divulges secrets that go beyond them and are revealed in the photograph. This makes them decidedly contemporary photographs.

Lynne Connolly wrote in her review abut the book "Signal & Noise": "It is a timely and yet timeless book, conflict, identity, citizenship and changing of boundaries is in constant change across the globe. The impact of political decisions and sense of lack of control is everywhere. Signal & Noise gives us permission to step back from it all and rethink what we see and how we see it."