Since 2017, AXEL HÜTTE has visited the relics of ancient Greek and Roman settlements in Turkey several times. The artist's choice of access to the monuments presents the viewer with a detached and atmospheric perspective: the radical way in which the antique sites are cut of in some of his works leads us away from the usual visual patterns and towards a shift in perception (Ephesos-1).

AXEL HÜTTE breaks with the tradition of an overly emotive presentation of the ancient monuments by refraining from the high gloss of touristy photographs and instead capturing his motifs as a hazy blur. The illusionistic view of depth gives way to planes and symmetry, which dominate his works (Sagalassos-4, Ephesos Night). Light and space are thus the essential parameters in HÜTTE's artistic concept. The magnifcent, historical architectural structures defy ascetic documentation: it is extroverted, theatrical, festively lit at night (Ephesos Night, Hierapolis Night). The large format underlines the tableau character, the photo evokes painterly qualities (Milet-1, Sagalassos 3+4).

Advanced civilizations in the area that is now Turkey began to emerge around 3,000 BC. The fnds in Troy and Pergamon and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus are examples of the archaeological wealth of the region. The legends of the Argonauts, the adventures of Odysseus and other Greek myths about this region prove the existence of ancient trade routes. In his explorations of this region so rich in history, AXEL HÜTTE focuses on the ancient relics from the Hellenistic- Roman period as seen in works taken in Ephesos.

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