Twelve students from the Communication Design Department at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences are exhibiting photographic works created on site at the “Neue Hütte” Blast Furnace Museum in Schmalkalden. As part of a project titled “Photographic Interventions in the Local Interior,” they explored the museum in search of subjects. This resulted in 75 works, 25 of which are on display in the exhibition. Visitors can now set out on their own quest to discover the origins of the motifs.
The students’ work focused on the question of how the historical processes involved in the traditional production of pig iron and the processing of steel into tools at a blast furnace facility in Schmalkalden dating from 1835 could be perceived and visualized in a new and interesting way. To this end, the students spent two days at the museum searching for motifs. This resulted in 75 artistic works created under the guidance of Professor Joachim Dimanski. “The students are not professional photographers,” says Dimanski. Rather, they are exploratory, experimental newcomers to “visual communication.” The 25 selected photographs offer varied perspectives on portals, window openings, planes, fittings, machines, and decaying structures.
For visitors, the exhibition offers the chance to find the details shown in the photos throughout the museum. To do so, you have to walk through the rooms with your eyes wide open. This allows you to discover things you’ve never noticed before, said Kai Lehmann, director of the Wilhelmsburg Palace Museum, who was particularly impressed at the opening. Museum director Robin Radl is also enthusiastic: “The photos turned out really great. The students were very creative.”
The photographic works will be on display until October 9 at the Technical Monument in Schmalkalden.
Museum website: www.hochofenmuseum.de