Thomas Demand

In recently thinking about environment, I came across the work of Photographer Thomas Demand.

Barn (1997) by Thomas Demand.

In his work, he creates life-size replicas of prior documented historical/cultural environments. These replicas are constructed with stunning accuracy completely out of colored paper. In the article "Paper Truth: The Know-How of Thomas Demand", published in the 2010 May/June issue of After Image, author Efrat Biberman examines the intentions behind Demand's choice of included detail. Biberman compares the artists intentions to those of Cindy Sherman in her Untitled Film Stills (1977-80) and notes that while Sherman's works are imitations of corporeal actions without originals, while Demand's works do "not imitate any human activity, but rather rigidly copies seemingly arbitrary and meaningless details."

Grotto (2006) by Thomas Demand.

What I find interesting in reading this article and thinking about Demand's work is the idea of mimesis, or mimicry. Over the last year I have observed and discussed the work of Emily Nachison and this idea of mimesis is a key component to her work. Unlike Demand, Nachison uses unnatural materials to mimic the natural word. The fantastical environments she creates evoke questions about disillusionment and consumption. One of her most recent pieces, shown at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, was similar in theme to one of Demand's pieces—it was a grotto. Made from modern materials often used in the construction and housing industry, Nachison's White Grotto became a welcome oasis in the cacophonous Out of the Woods show that brimmed with video and performance art.

White Room Installation (2009) Emily Nachison.

At Canadian Art's website, Bryne Mclaughlin reviews Demand's work and presents excellent pictorial examples of the exquisite detail in his article Thomas Demand: Mom, Apple Pie, and the Oval Office.

Emily Nachison is currently exhibiting at the Museum of New Art in Pontiac, Michigan. The show runs from June 19th till July 24th with an opening reception on June 19th.