Through challenging camera angles Menno Aden abstracts most familiar actual living environments and public interiors into flattened two-dimensional scale models. A camera that the artist installed on the ceiling of various rooms takes pictures downwards of the interiors. The resulting images lay out space in symmetrical compositions that look like assemblages stripped off any kind of objectivity. The views into private homes and secret retreats bring up associations of the ubiquitous observation camera. The notion of surveillance is systematically played out by the artist to hint at society’s voyeuristic urge that popular culture has made mainstream. (Miriam Noske)
Menno Aden, born 1972 in Weener, Germany, studied at the University of Bremen. He lives and works in Berlin. He was awarded the Deutscher Preis Wissenschaftsfotografie (German Prize for Science Photography) 2013, Bremen (1st Prize), the International Photography Awards 2013, Los Angeles (1st Prize: Category Architecture, 3rd Prize: Category Fine Art), the Accademia Apulia UK Photography Award 2013, London (1st Prize), the 2012 Art : Science : Industry - Kunstpreis, Potsdam (1st Prize) and the 2009 European Award of Architectural Photography, Frankfurt Main (Selection).