PHOTOKUNST Fasanenstr. 69 10719 Berlin Allemagne
Photography exposes that magical moment in which one single phrase connects a scene to the entire composition, reveals the deeper meaning behind a picture, and bears man's soul. Beat Presser's art knows many moments like this. They emerge from his deep understanding of the creative power of black and white photography. More importantly, however, as a photographer and film-maker, these magical moments arise from Presser's month- and often year's-long devotion to his projects.
Beat Presser's fame is closely linked to his work with Klaus Kinski and Werner Herzog. He worked as a camera assistant and still photographer on the movies "Fitzcarraldo" (1981) and "Cobra Verde" (1987). His photographs represent a breathtaking visual-chronicle of these legendary films. Quite interactions and violent clashes between director and leading actor characterize Presser's images. Klaus Kinski's enormous presence becomes almost physically palpable. Presser's portraits simultaneously capture the eccentric, demonic Kinski and his meeker, child-like nature. They reveal the fusion of the actor with those characters depicted by him.
Beat Presser's view is free of explanation and evaluation. He takes us into unknown worlds and speaks to us through faces and gestures as well as shapes, light and shadow. This preserves the great mystery of these worlds. Presser's images preserve the spirit of the Buddhist temples and cloisters, in which children are already on the search towards truth and knowledge. So can we see the simplified, allusive photographs of the Madagascar fisherman as bringing the viewer closer to the most natural archetype of culture. Ultimately, Beat Presser's work comes from life itself, a spiritually fulfilling life. His work is inspired by people who, like the photographer himself, live a life through which they are made whole. Magic is found in those moments in which they live. (Susanne Schmid)