2010

öffentlich zugänglich

U-Bahnstation Moosach, 80992 München

Fotografie, Digitaldruck auf Aluminium

Architecture: P. Kramer, N. Glock und M. Rossiwal, Baureferat

Photos: Christoph Mukherjee

Text: Swantje Grundler

Martin Fengel is not afraid of décor. On the contrary, he instrumentalizes it. The photographer had large flower motifs printed on the metal cladding of the subway station’s walls. Luminous colors against a white background. A black outline specifies the elongated double image as a collage. Blossoms are mounted on angular branches, complete structures turned upside-down. Bees, snails, flies, and grasshoppers also appear, impressively oversized. The artist exaggerates enormously, thus confronting the size of the 7.6-meter-high underground space. At the same time, the artist wants those waiting in a public space like a subway station to feel good. People should want to linger there.

During his research, Fengel wandered through the neighborhood and noticed that Moosach lies at the intersection of the city and its surrounding environment. There, you will traditionally find many gardens. The green space begins. That is why the photographer invited the residents of Moosach to show their flowers, the ones that are important to them. At home in a flowerbox on a balcony, in a vase, in a pot, or in the garden, it didn’t matter. He took photographs of these found pieces on site and later selected and compiled the ones he wanted to use.

All the motifs are shot with a bright flash — Fengel is known for his casual explorations of surfaces, reflections, the glamour of the spectacle. Through his methods, he transforms a simple observation into more, much more, and thus he knows how to capture and hold attention — until the subway train arrives.