Czech photographer Miroslav Tichý captures images using handmade cameras built from salvaged material – discarded wooden spools, elastics, eyeglass lenses, and cardboard tubing find new life as part of his imaging gear. The resulting work is a testament to the poetic value error, imprecision, and circumstance can add to art.
When asked about the theory behind his work, Tichy replied –
If you want to be famous, you have to do whatever you’re doing worse than anyone else in the whole world.
His notoriety in the art world seems to prove that statement – without all the intensely handmade characteristics, his photographs would likely be overlooked as common pervy voyeurism. – Miroslav Tichý
12 thoughts on “Scavenging photography of Miroslav Tichý”
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> without all the intensely handmade characteristics, his
> photographs would likely be overlooked as common pervy
> voyeurism.
I don’t buy that. Despite his subject matter, which is hardly shocking anyway, his composition is very good. Despite the crudeness of his equipment, his photos are beautiful.
I agree that his work holds value beyond the handmade novelty, and I find it in no way shocking – but having some familiarity with the mainstream art world, I still believe my aforementioned statement to be true.
Yeah, Mondriaan was only painting squares too…
I think you misunderstood my statement – let me clarify:
His work probably wouldn’t have gotten mainstream attention without its novelty. It is widely the way the big-time art world works
Tichy understands this, evident when he said –
“If you want to be famous, you have to do whatever you’re doing worse than anyone else in the whole world.”
In summary – To get a lot of people to notice what you’re doing, you often have to first grab their attention with something really unusual.
ya dig?
i think the case of tichy :-) (sounds like hell…but it is meaningful the way it made rumor in art world…) IS GREAT BECAUSE tichy enjoyed the process…he didn’t look at it as a process, but that’s what musn’t be forgoten, the process…not only the products! I would like to know more about him, his own words, do you have any information regarding this? you can write me at haihui008@yahoo.fr, i would be glad and thanksful if i receive news from you!
@tornak – this site has more info:
http://www.tichyocean.ch/
check out the press section for more articles about him.