Natalie Strohmaier

Same same but different

In the series ‘Same, same, but different’, Natalie Strohmaier presents fascinating photographic reinterpretations of historical paintings. These works, which at first glance appear to be paintings themselves, reveal a new perspective on the everyday life of our time, which is characterised by industrial mass production.

The series highlights the changes in everyday life over the centuries. For example, the painting ‘The Beet Cleaner’ – the original painting is owned by the Alte Pinakothek in Munich – by Jean Siméon Chardin (1699–1779) shows a kitchen maid pausing during her work. In the photographic reinterpretation, the woman gazes into the distance with the same look, surrounded by ‘modern’ everyday objects that are supposed to make life easier. Whether her social status is better than that of the kitchen maid in the painting remains open to question and provokes thought.

Further reinterpretations of still lifes by painters Adriaen Coorte (1665–1707) and Jean Siméon Chardin (1699–1779) address the abundance of sugar and plastic in our society. In these photographic works, the natural elements originally depicted are replaced by industrially manufactured sugar and plastic products. For example, instead of wild strawberries in a wicker basket, we now see jelly raspberries with sugar pearls; pears and plums are replaced by purée in squeeze pouches or perfectly shaped quark balls; and instead of a glass of water, there is now a plastic cup with cola on the plastic tablecloth printed with imitation wood.

Pigment print on Hahnemühle Torchon, laminated on aluminium Dibond Shadow gap frame made of wood with museum glass. Edition 10 + 2 artist prints