poetic reading

Filtered vision with crosshairs at the center—a trigger point that people, animals, and objects only just manage to avoid. Unaware of the looming threat. How often do we escape catastrophe by millimetres? Is risk the common thread in the fabric of life? Has the danger of becoming a target object become new, or simply more consciously perceived?

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Objective description

Inverted black-and-white images make the depicted landscape appear like X-rays. A crosshair at the center of the frame draws attention and expectation. Migratory birds, a rowing team, people in a tethered balloon, and other scenes in the open landscape are observed with this aesthetic, while the center always remains just barely free. A meditation on the ever-present danger of becoming a target.

Plausible association

The aesthetic conveys an investigative perspective. Imaging techniques such as X-ray, night vision, aiming optics, macroscope, military observation, laboratory situations. With this special optics, everyday life is dissected. It raises questions of vulnerability, questions about civilian targets. A contradiction between carefree leisure and persistent threat. What is the field of view with the marked target waiting for? Something specific, or anything that hits the intersection point - random target - precision of violence - military threat - precarious peace - hunter's gaze - endurance of force

Artistic intention

This work combines technologically enhanced long-range vision through military observation instruments with the serene imagery of a leisurely summer day. A trigger-ready weapon stands in stark contrast to the carefree behavior in an apparently peaceful landscape. Tension arises from the near misses in every shot. The work raises questions about the vulnerability of leisure life and the taboo of targeting civilian objects.

Original artistic project

Choreografische Bilder im Feld (2011)

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SKU PDM-MM-26-2C85

poetic short, essayistic form Video 2025

When a rifle scope with crosshairs is all you have, everything looks like a target.

by Maxim Mau, KOMBINAT kombiniert Tanz und Film UG

Selection and prices

1920x1080 / Basic Licence / MP4

License details

License: This licence grants the right to incorporate an *artistic work* as a *poetic complement* within non-commercial contexts. Use is site-specific and temporally limited. **Use as is.** Any alteration or modification, as well as any transfer or sale to third parties, are not permitted. Permanent public dissemination or unrestricted public availability is not permitted.

10,00 €

Credit line

Sirko Knüpfer (Photography)

Technical data

SKU
PDM-MM-26-2C85
Year
2025
Type
Video
File type
MP4
File size
189,3 MB