Artwork
Extended Memory II
Extended Memory II is a photography by Lena Athanasopoulou. It dates from 2010 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki – MOMus.
About this work
Overview
Lena Athanasopoulou's 'Extended Memory II' is a photographic work that explores the disparity between perceived memory and reality, focusing on idealized landscapes.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is not a direct landscape but a photograph of a factory-produced, fantastical nature image. This setup highlights how gaze, memory, and longing can diverge based on one's perspective and desires, even for unseen places.
Technique & Style
It utilizes an intriguing approach by capturing pre-existing, idealized landscape images, resulting in an uncanny, eerie, yet magical aesthetic.
Although initially described in the context of a painting, 'Extended Memory II' is a photographic piece. It utilizes an intriguing approach by capturing pre-existing, idealized landscape images, resulting in an uncanny, eerie, yet magical aesthetic. Note: The mention of 'sfumato' in the visual note is misleading as it refers to a painting technique (softening of edges), not directly applicable to the described photographic process.
History & Provenance
Originated from a series titled 'Extended Memory', with the specific image sourced from a one-pound shop in London, reflecting consumer culture's influence on perceived natural beauty.
Context
Part of a broader artistic exploration into how manufactured images shape our memories and perceptions of nature, encouraging reflection on the authenticity of longing for idealized landscapes.
Legacy
Contributes to discussions on the intersection of memory, consumerism, and the natural world in contemporary photography, though its broader impact and reception are not detailed in the provided information.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lena Athanasopoulou can sit in a café for hours, watching strangers’ faces shift as they scroll through their phones.
Museum
Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki – MOMus
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