Reinfried Marass Photography - Work, Photo Essays, Publications

Vintage Style Color Photography. Early Kodachrome Colors.

Hemingway Little & Mark Twain – A Photo Story

I was contacted by the German ‘Round Table Club #17 of Bielefeld’, a social networking and charitable organization, to donate one of my works to their 11th art auction in 2012, where the artwork of renown international artists will be auctioned for a charitable purpose.

Former art auctions included the artworks of e.g. Joseph Beuys, James Rizzi, Yoko Ono, and many other international acknowledged artists. Participating in the upcoming 2012′s art auction are: Christo, Raoul Dufy, Max Pechstein, Markus Lüpertz, Max Liebermann (among others).

Each year the revenues will be forwarded to a dedicated social organization. In 2012 ‘Fruchtalarm’, a project supporting children trapped in hospitals and affected with cancer, was chosen.

Just forwarding already existing work sounded a bit too simple for me. Challenged by the big names participating, I liked to create something special and unique with the auction’s designation, “Kunst Fördert Kinder” (Art Supports Children), in mind.

Mark Twain – Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn. Vintage Colors Photography. Fishing at the lake.

The Mark Twain Photo Series – Making Of

My very first idea and visualization would have been a trilogy covered by 3 individual photographs. But I skipped it again. This idea might have been too ‘artsy’ and not that easy to understand. In addition, to make sense, all 3 prints should be kept together. That might have been too pricey for a single buyer.

So I did cut myself back a bit and came up with a series after ‘Mark Twain – Tom Sayer & Huckleberry Finn’. Max, a friend’s little son, was asked to model for the series. I explained the background for the action and that we must support children in his age who are very sick. He replied: “OK, just let’s do it.”

In addition, his parents own a great park-like estate with some wilderness in. Pond and little wood included. So the whole series could be done on location right at his home.

Close up portrait of a young boy fishing with a straw hat. Resting by the pier. Sitting on the docks. Vintage portrait photograph.

For the classic “Mark Twain” theme I already had the vintage “Early Kodachrome” colors in my mind. Via Smartphone I faced Max’s mother with some Early Kodachrome Color Photographs of the American 30′s and 40′s era to let her find some matching clothes.

The straw hat was brought along by Max from a Cuba vacation earlier this year. Handmade hat, of course, he stated!

Armed with a saw I entered his father’s little wood. A young tree had to give its life for the children (*pssst, don’t tell the father). But from now on the tree will live forever in the photographs as the boy’s fishing pole. The pole was trimmed by me for an old and vintage appearance.

Little boy fishing in a boat on the water. Summer, water, pond, lake. Vintage color photograph.

Such a classic fishing pole calls for a cork as a floater. Where to get an authentic one? Max’s father never ever would have handed over to me the key to his wine cellar. His cars, his children, his wife – no problem! But the holy key to his beloved wine storage? No way! Sometimes he really doesn’t trust me – I just wonder why?

But I’m good at tricking little girls. A quick sweet-talk to one of Max’s sisters, promising her a career as a super-model, and I was in.

Down in the dark wine dungeon I spotted a very old bottle. Dust-covered. The label did state something in French language. 1873. Hm, pretty old stuff. But very authentic. Expiration date for sure is exceeded. Time to kill it. Swiss Army Knife (never leave home without it) and *blopp – the cork was mine! Again, *pssst, don’t tell the father!

Now, with the fishing rod completed, the boat was dumped into the water. It even did swim. I never use a flash or similar lighting equipment and so we still had to wait some hours until the sun was positioned to support us.

Boat on water. Black and white fine art photograph.

Black and white fine art photograph. Boat on water with a boy fishing.

For three hours little Max, brave and advantageous like Odysseus, rowed the small boat across the pond. Strictly following my commands. I’m rarely satisfied. Posing, *click *click, next spot, posing, *click *click, and so on.

Whilst shooting the series marvelous Max was faced with gale forces, Boa Constrictors, a little baby Cayman (also brought along from Cuba), and numerous other weird sea animals who aren’t named already in Encyclopedias.

But Max never got tired, nor did he say any word …

Also Mrs. Circe and Mrs. Lorelei appeared on the shore. Both, with freshly bleached blond hair, tried to distract us. I taught Max that he never should listen to sweet talking girls. An important lesson in a young man’s life! He should just listen to me (and to Mrs. Leica)

Even Mrs. Nessie popped up, curious about what’s going on, but quickly disappeared again. I was able to take a little snapshot of her. Unfortunately the photo is blurred, so I don’t like to show. Shaken photos aren’t that good for a photographer’s reputation.

Sea of life. Famous black and white art print and photography. Famous fine art print.

Sea Of Life

The frail body of a young boy. Symbolizing the fragile human existence. Centered in the Universe. Caught. Swirled.

The attempt to fish life. To bring ashore. To determine. Miseries or blessings.

At the end it’s just a wave at the lake …

In reference to the photo’s designation those poetic words were added by the famous Arabic novelist and Arabic Booker Price 2011 winner Raja Alem.

Children for Children. Black and white photograph of boy holding famous fine art print.

Black and white photograph of boy holding famous fine art print. Children for Children.

Hemingway Little

The outcome: Art Supports Children & Children For Children. “Hemingway Little” posing with the finished and framed “Sea Of Life” fine art print. Out of the photo series this photograph is issued as an Unique 1/1 Edition fine art print for the art auction.

The art auction will take place on November 11, 2012 in Bielefeld, Germany. For all details see Charity Photography Art Auction “Kunst fördert Kinder” (Art Supports Children)

Disclaimer: no fishes were harmed in making of this photo series. Just a bottle of vintage wine.

Mark Twain Photo Book

Mark Twain – A Photo Story. A small online booklet created by Shadia Alem based on this photo essay. The renown mixed-media Saudi artist Shadia Alem represented her country at ‘La Biennale di Venezia 2011′ with her gorgeous installation The Black Arch. Although very busy with her own art, Shadia Alem spared time to publish this small booklet to support the charitable purpose the series was done for. A fact I’m very grateful for.