The photographs of Karl Blossfeldt (1865-1932) were far ahead of their time, not only artistically but also scientifically. He experimented with photography for over 30 years, developing and building his own cameras and lenses that could magnify up to thirty times. More than 6,000 works resulted from this experimental and curious approach. His preparations of flowers and plants revealed the filigree structures of nature that had not been explored before, making him one of the most important photographers of the 20th century. Blossfeldt's photographs were particularly popular with surrealists and early modernists.
The Midlands Art Centre in Birmingham will present an original portfolio by Blossfeldt entitled Wundergarten der Natur (Nature's Wonder Garden) in Karl Blossfeldt: Art Forms in Nature from July 8. It includes 40 photogravures from 1932 that exemplify his signature close-up photographs of plants. Blossfeldt himself independently published the collection just one year before his death. Until August 20, visitors will have a rare opportunity to view these interdisciplinary images before they move to the Old Big School Gallery in Tonbridge as part of the Hayward Gallery's touring exhibition at London's Southbank Centre.
