Twentysix Billboards

In the Sixties, Ed Rusha stated, that drive-ins and gasoline stations were the landmarks of Los Angeles. For me, the billboards became the new landmarks in the urban sprawl, exposing the passenger (by car or foot) to a visual bombardment. Some people hate, others love these billboards, but most became blind and lethargic, having no opinion, whether positive or negative - best for the subconscious to soak in the flow of messages. On my recent trip to L.A., I examined the backs and became fascinated by its construction and tones. Like abstract sculptures, the billboards tower above the buildings, hiding their function and content. These works refer to Walker Evans, Bernd and Hilla Becher, Lewis Baltz or Hiroshi Sugimoto and also to my series "Fourth Wall" – there is a theatrical moment in them, it seems as if the billboards are looking at us.