Michael Wesely: Neue Nationalgalerie. 160401_201209

The Neue Nationalgalerie (New National Gallery) was closed to the public for renovation for five years, but photographer Michael Wesely was able to capture its metamorphosis using four cameras installed on the ceiling. The resulting photographs are edited into bewitching montages, showcasing the building's identity and change through the interplay of ephemeral, restless, and rapid movements against the still, timeless quality of the architecture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 08 July 2021
Publisher: Hatje Cantz

The Neue Nationalgalerie, a renowned architectural masterpiece designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, embarked on a five-year renovation project that shut its doors to the public. However, amidst the closure, a remarkable photographer named Michael Wesely managed to gain exclusive access to the iconic building. With a stroke of ingenuity, he installed four cameras on the ceiling, each pointing in a different direction. Every day, these cameras diligently captured thousands of images, each lasting two minutes, creating a captivating visual narrative.

The result is a mesmerizing series of montages that transport readers into the heart of the renovation process. The long exposure time employed by Wesely adds a profound aesthetic dimension to the images, as it allows for the ephemeral and restless movements of the renovation team to contrast with the timeless and enduring quality of the architectural masterpiece. This interplay of identity and change creates a sophisticated visual tapestry that captivates the viewer's imagination.

Through these captivating photographs, we witness the Neue Nationalgalerie undergoing a remarkable transformation. The walls crumble, the structures are dismantled, and new elements are introduced. The building emerges from its cocoon of renovation, reborn as a vibrant testament to the power of architecture and the transformative nature of change.

The Neue Nationalgalerie's renovation project serves as a reminder that numbers can conceal not only mathematical calculations but also rich histories and narratives. It reminds us that buildings, like living organisms, are constantly evolving and adapting to the forces of time and human intervention. The photographs captured by Michael Wesely offer a glimpse into the hidden stories and hidden treasures that lie within the walls of this iconic building, inviting us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of architectural heritage.

In conclusion, the Neue Nationalgalerie's renovation project serves as a testament to the enduring power of architecture and the transformative nature of change. Through the mesmerizing photographs of Michael Wesely, we are granted a privileged glimpse into the hidden stories and hidden treasures that lie within the walls of this iconic building. It reminds us that numbers can conceal not only mathematical calculations but also rich histories and narratives, and that buildings, like living organisms, are constantly evolving and adapting to the forces of time and human intervention.

Weight: 2204g
Dimension: 284 x 346 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783775750332