Theben, West

The bird's eye view of 'Theben, West' emphasizes the diminutive size of the tourists populating their environment, the archaeological site of ancient Thebes, Egypt. In this enormous photograph a tension between macro and micro is established. All that is presented to the eye is not manifested from one shot. More accurately, it comes from an amalgamation of photos digitally compiled, which creates an unachievable perspective. This manipulation of the photograph questions the idea of truth inherent to the photograph as a document. In Theben, West Gursky points out that there is little left that is not uncharted by man. Furthermore, nature has become a commodity, a place for consumption and a recreational experience. This provides a sense of unease when viewing his work. Contrasting with this impression is the aesthetic richness of his photographs, with their intense detail, colour and composition.