Thomas Demand Attraktion / Attraction, 2013

Attraktion / Attraction features a dynamic vertical composition that is defined by two diagonal structures crossing a grey background. Boat swings are the only rides that are operated only by the muscle power of the users themselves and in this context the missing passengers are particularly noteworthy. The swing is depicted near the apex of its movement, the point where passengers might be standing upside down and achieve a full rotation. Although it is not clear which direction the depicted swing is moving, the dramatic composition appears to connote movement. The image is based on a vintage photograph reproduced in a book by German artist Hans-Peter Feldmann who is known for his wide-ranging collecting of images from archives and mass media sources.