AMONG PLAYERS – THE GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM
Unter Spielern – Die Nationalmannschaft
Foreword by Oliver Bierhoff, Texts by Axel Hacke, Albert Ostermaier, Willibald Sauerländer, Regina Schmeken, design by Marc Narosk German, 2012.
160 pages, 82 illustrations in duplex, 31,10 × 22,60 cm, half linen, ISBN 978-3-7757-3440-0, Hatje Cantz Verlag, Price 14,95 €
Fascination and aesthetics – body in motion
Regina Schmeken focused on the representation of movement in her artistic work. Her serial photographs focus on the crucial moment between dance, football, pole vaulting or fencing. The well-trained bodies of the athletes gain a sculptural quality through the black-and-white of the photographs, which is enhanced by an unusual composition and lighting. Oliver Bierhoff, former national player and manager of the germany national men’s football team, was surprised while visiting an exhibition of the artist by her special look at “his” discipline. It resulted in a joint project: From the beginning of 2011, Regina Schmeken accompanied the national football team to international matches, including the 2012 European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine. The publication documents the encounter and the play of the men with the ball like a choreography – captured from an impressive perspective.