Birgit Graschopf is an artist from Vienna, Austria. She creates large-format wall photographs that blend into the space. For this, the room is converted into a darkroom, resulting in a "photographic fresco" on the wall.
She uses unusual materials such as concrete, sandpaper, wood, stone, and tree sponges as her supports. Her photographs often depict delicate female figures in empty spaces and architecture. In doing so, she addresses social themes such as inner and outer emptiness, loneliness, and the contrast between delicate figures and hard supports.
She realizes her work and projects with Rollei BLACK MAGIC.
Rollei BLACK MAGIC is a light-sensitive emulsion that can be applied to almost any surface, such as glass, wood, tiles, fabric, metal, stone, plastic, cardboard, or ceramic. It features high sensitivity and a very dark maximum density. The emulsion is available in two versions: standard and variable-contrast. The kits contain all the chemicals necessary to coat and develop approximately 4 m².
Albertina Interventions ("Albertina Interventionen")
3 wall illuminations in the staircase and in front of the state rooms of the Albertina, Vienna
2014 – present
For her work, the artist selected three photographs from the Albertina collection, dating from the 1910s and 1920s. These photos depict women and explore the female nude, movement, and theater photography.
The poses and postures of the figures in the photos match the spatial conditions on site. For example, the lighting in the photos harmonizes with the actual light in the room, or a real staircase in the room is continued in the photograph.
Electra
Wall exposure after Madame D'Ora, 1915 / 2014, 143 x 65 cm + rear part
Mary Wigman
Wall exposure after Hugo Erfurt, 1927 / 2014, 340 x 140 cm
Movement study
Wall exposure after Rudolf Koppitz, 1926 / 2014, 315 x 140 cm
A Ship Will Come ("Ein Schiff Wird Kommen")
Named after the song "A Ship Will Come" („Ein Schiff wird kommen“) by Lale Anderson, the painting depicts people on a bridge gazing into the distance. It's unclear what they see or expect. The title evokes the notion of longing for another place or an impending arrival.
Wall lighting in the EIKON shop window / Museumsquartier, Vienna
2 m x 4.70 m, 2010 – 2011
Shifting
For the exhibition "Industrie" Birgit Graschopf developed a photograph that will be displayed on the wall. It references the gallery's location, the former Anker bread factory. The artist depicts workers detached from their work environment and visualizes their movements on multiple levels and perspectives, creating the impression of more space. This creates a visual connection for the viewer to the workers who once produced baked goods in these spaces.
Wall illumination in the OstLicht Gallery, Vienna
2.40 m x 6.10 m, 2013
Photographs on concrete
Trogir Motel
Photography on concrete, hand-colored
40 x 60 cm, 2024
Untitled I from the series STILL
Photography on concrete, hand-colored
60 x 40 cm, 2022
Untitled II from the series STILL
Photography on concrete, hand-colored
40 x 60 cm, 2022
Photographs on sandpaper
Accessul Interzis
Diptych, photographs on sandpaper
each 24 x 29 cm, 2024
Untitled I from the series FEDERLEICHT
Photography on sandpaper
24 x 29 cm, 2024
Untitled II from the series FEDERLEICHT
Photography on sandpaper
64 x 85 cm, 2024
Particulate Matters
A key part of the work are the employees of the Wittmann company. They were first portrayed individually and then arranged in a large composition across the walls of the showroom, giving the impression of flying. The figures are projected onto the wall in partially distorted forms, changing their appearance depending on the viewer's perspective and location.
Wall lighting in the showroom of the Wittmann furniture manufacturer, Vienna
6 wall surfaces, various sizes, 2013 – 2018
Further information about the artist:
Birgit Graschopf
Further information for Rollei BLACK MAGIC:
Rollei BLACK MAGIC
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1920 – 2020 | 100 Years of Rollei