ALAN SONFIST
Photographs 1969-2012
Alan Sonfist Photographs
“
Sonfist created each of these works to ephemeral and transient as a mist, dissipated by sunlight. They were left to pass away, their elements reclaimed by nature like a body decaying into earth. Each work is a reflection of the natural processes of birth, death and rebirth. As John Muir has said, “Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life.” These artworks no longer exist in their original state. Only their photographs survive. The secret languages of the forest and the city are exposed through these photographic essays, collected over time. Each photo landscape selects a fragile moment, which will disappear as quickly as it is photographed.
”
-Wolfgang Becker, founding director, Ludwig Collection.
Monet’s Landscape 30 x 40 in. Photograph, 2002
Yellow Line 30 x 40 in. Photograph, 2001
Nature’s Graffiti 1 30 x 40 in. Photograph, 2001
Golden Cross 30 x 40 in. Photograph, 2000
Golden Cross 30 x 40 in. Photograph, 2001
(top) Maple Pyramid 24 x 36 in. Photograph, 1999 (bottom) Rose Petal Pyramid 24 x 36 in. Photograph, 1999
Nature’s Hand 22 x 14 in. Photograph, 1969
Myself Becoming One with the Tree 2 Nine 16 x 20 in. Photographs, 1969
Circumference of Beech Tree 1 16 x 80 in. Photographic Series, 1969 Circumference of Oak Tree 1 16 x 80 in. Photographic Series, 1969
Hand and Leaf 96 x 40 in. Photographic Series, 2001
(previous page) Crabs Seeking Shelter 24 x 40 in. Photographs, 1972-73
Sugar Maple 180 Degree Turn 40 x 70 in. 35 Photographs, 1989
Endangered Forest of the East, Fall, mixed media, 1990, 42 x 60 in Endangered Forest of the East, Summer, mixed media, 1991, 42 x 60 in. Endangered Forest of the East, Winter, mixed media, 1990, 42 x 60 in. Endangered Forest of the East, Spring, mixed media, 1990, 42 x 60 in.
Element Selection 16 x 20 in. Photograph, 1969 Adirondack Mountains, New York