Public Project
The eternal return
Summary
"The Eternal Return" is a visual exploration that traverses the last century while casting a gaze toward the future. This series immerses us in a history that seems to turn in a loop, where the horrors of the past return, relentlessly, like distorted echoes through time. Each image is both a mirror of our collective past and a forewarning of what could be, should we fail to break this cycle. "The Eternal Return" invites us to reflect on the lessons left unlearned and how humanity, despite its trials, often seems condemned to repeat its mistakes.
"The Eternal Return" is a visual exploration that traverses the last century while casting a gaze toward the future. This series immerses us in a history that seems to turn in a loop, where the horrors of the past return, relentlessly, like distorted echoes through time. Each image is both a mirror of our collective past and a forewarning of what could be, should we fail to break this cycle. "The Eternal Return" invites us to reflect on the lessons left unlearned and how humanity, despite its trials, often seems condemned to repeat its mistakes.
Matthias Koch explores the concept of the meta-series through his photographic work. This artistic approach aims to transcend the boundaries between different photographic series to extract and recombine their essential elements. Rather than being confined to producing distinct series, Matthias Koch adopts a meticulous approach that involves analyzing, deconstructing, and then reinterpreting the themes, aesthetics, and techniques that define various bodies of work.In his creative process, Matthias Koch begins by selecting photographic series that, while seemingly different, reveal deep connections when examined closely. Whether through color choices, recurring motifs, or underlying themes, they identify the elements that link these works together. This process of extraction and synthesis allows them to capture what they refer to as the "quintessence" of each series—a universal essence that transcends the particularities of each individual work.
Once these essential elements are extracted, Matthias Koch engages in a process of fusion and reinterpretation. This is not merely a collage or juxtaposition of the original images, but rather a subtle recombination where each photograph is enriched by visual and conceptual references to the source series. This fusion creates a new, standalone photographic work—a meta-series—that retains a palpable connection to its origins while presenting a distinct and innovative identity.
For Matthias Koch, the meta-series is more than just a compilation. It is a visual and conceptual dialogue between the works, a narrative that unfolds through a series of images where each photograph is both a part of a greater whole and a window into the original series. The viewer is invited to explore this network of meanings, decode hidden references, and discover the multiple layers of interpretation that overlap within the work.
Matthias Koch’s work is thus part of a broader reflection on photography itself and on how images can interact to create new forms of expression. By embracing the diversity of visual influences and synthesizing them into a coherent framework, they offer an artistic vision where multiplicity becomes a source of richness and innovation.
The eternal return — MATTHIAS KOCHMatthiaskoch.co
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