Reflected images offer possibilities for layered images and building visual metaphors. Walking through Berlin with my family which included three artists, son Max Dunlop, his wife Natalie Kiefer, as well as Rebecca and our infant granddaughter Frida, I discovered serendipitous layered reflected metaphors.
Linear Perspective was first practiced in the Plazas of Italy in the 1400s. Borrowing that subject but layering those principles in Berlin’s plazas in the following examples 1, 2, 3 and 4. Observe how the advancing bull image reverses the motion of the linear perspective in example3.
Example 1. Perspective with Reflections along Unter der Linden,
Example 2. A bull painting caught amidst reflections,
Example 3. The reflected layered bull painting inserted into example 1.
Example 4. Perspective with Mixed Diagonals at Potsdam Plaza.
Taking an image of Rembrandt’s (example 5) and then layering it with a window reflection image found by looking into an antiquarian shop (example 6) results in example 7. The reflected arch way performs the same framing function as the original framing arch in Rembrant’s image.
Example 5, Rembrandt, preaching John The Baptist (in the Gemaldegalerie).
Example 6. Window shop with reflections (Gedamenmarkt).
Example 7. The aggregated image of examples 5 and 6.
Reflected imagery can wobble on glass as you see in example 8 (Humbolt University platz). Or, I used the contrary directional signals found on a window along Unter der Linden seen in example 9. Max called this an example of my version of the family photo album.
Example 8, glass wobble tightened within the rectilinear mullions.
Example 9, Family photo shot.
The serendiptous nature of strolling through a city like Berlin alllows for jarring or pleasing visual discoveries. Examples 10 and 11 provide evidence of each.
Example 10. Naked Steel, Tattoo parlor window,
Example 11. Flower garden while approaching Berliner Dome.
If you would like to join me painting and photographing Euro city places then join me in Spain. We have just one spot open for the September trip to Spain. For details see the workshop section at daviddunlop.com.
jan Dilenschneider
David: Happy 4th of July to you, your family (especially Frieda) and all that read this. One should always be thankful for this freedom we enjoy. Jan
Karen Herbst
Enjoy your vacation, brings back great memories of when my daughter studied in Berlin. I look forward to seeing how you may use these reflective images in your paintings!
Gail Ingis
David, these are inspiring images to see into scenery in so many different points of view. Thank you for sharing. And welcome home . . .
Therese
Interesting! For example 7, I see the preaching of John the Baptist is as relevant today to modern Berlin as it was 2000+ years ago, ‘a timeless message”, or it could be interpreted as simply “looking through time”, ‘a time frame’. Marshall McLuhan used to think that looking in the rearview mirror was like looking at the past, what has gone by, but he later changed his thoughts on that and described it as actually looking at what is to come. When you think about it, he’s right.
Your creative use of reflected imagery certainly opens the door to visual metaphors – the beauty of art.
Hope you all enjoyed Berlin.
Paul Filipiwicz
Isn’t it great what can come up on a perfectly innocent walk down the avenue.
Always love your angles David,
“Keep On Pushin”
Paul Filipowicz
Fredric Neuwirth
Berlin is a great city. Much to large an area for a short visit. Great subway system as long as you can read the fine print. Enjoy!
Sue
Just love the textures and colours in these photos. Thanks for the inspiration David.
Sylvia Keller
Fascinating collages! The images from your walks “Unter den Linden” bring back memories when I walked there some 70 years ago. How much this city changed, raised from the aches; only its Art remains as when it was first created.