About the Book
Undoubtedly the most personal book in the artist series so far, “Schmidt Sean Andreas Schmidt” may seem a very simple book at first glance.
Fifteen double-page spreads juxtapose various photographs of Andreas Schmidt and his son Sean Schmidt, both at similar ages, from birth to approximately four years old.
We can witness both Andreas Schmidt and Sean Schmidt, time delayed by almost exactly 38 years, do all the usual things children do, like taking their first steps, riding a bike, visiting a Zoo, playing in the snow and we are presented with their favourite pyjama, a pet tortoise and a 3rd birthday event.
Yet what appears to be an obvious comparison is perhaps more revealing and profound when considered for longer than the turning of a page, as it is our universal use of the camera in connection with family events that is being analysed in this book.
Was Andreas Schmidt led to take certain photographs of his son because he knew of his own pictures in his family album? Is it just a coincidence that 38 years on his son's favourite pyjama is also yellow? Do we remember life from our first few years or do we remember life from the photographs of our first few years as assembled in our family albums?
Ultimately, like in the final scene of Stanley Kubrick's film "2001", in which linear time has been disrupted and an astronaut sees an image of himself as an old man, first eating and then lying on a bed, dying, only to turn into an embryo, this book reminds us that we are simultaneously our sons and our fathers and that we are part of an immense cycle.
Limited to 100 copies
Fifteen double-page spreads juxtapose various photographs of Andreas Schmidt and his son Sean Schmidt, both at similar ages, from birth to approximately four years old.
We can witness both Andreas Schmidt and Sean Schmidt, time delayed by almost exactly 38 years, do all the usual things children do, like taking their first steps, riding a bike, visiting a Zoo, playing in the snow and we are presented with their favourite pyjama, a pet tortoise and a 3rd birthday event.
Yet what appears to be an obvious comparison is perhaps more revealing and profound when considered for longer than the turning of a page, as it is our universal use of the camera in connection with family events that is being analysed in this book.
Was Andreas Schmidt led to take certain photographs of his son because he knew of his own pictures in his family album? Is it just a coincidence that 38 years on his son's favourite pyjama is also yellow? Do we remember life from our first few years or do we remember life from the photographs of our first few years as assembled in our family albums?
Ultimately, like in the final scene of Stanley Kubrick's film "2001", in which linear time has been disrupted and an astronaut sees an image of himself as an old man, first eating and then lying on a bed, dying, only to turn into an embryo, this book reminds us that we are simultaneously our sons and our fathers and that we are part of an immense cycle.
Limited to 100 copies
Features & Details
- Primary Category: Fine Art Photography
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Project Option: Small Square, 7×7 in, 18×18 cm
# of Pages: 38 - Publish Date: Jul 20, 2009
- Language English
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About the Creator
Andreas Schmidt
London, UK
