Thomas Demand: Portals

In Portals, Demand explores architectural spaces and structures that hold historical and cultural significance. The series, composed of exquisitely crafted lithographs, reflects the complex narratives of each site. These works blend Demand’s signature photographic precision with a profound sense of historical reflection, offering a powerful commentary on the passage of time, the persistence of memory, and the role of physical spaces in embodying human history. The journey of the lithographs in the Portals suite is as intricate as the subjects they portray. Demand’s process began with photographs of building façades, which were then transformed into three-dimensional sculptures. These sculptures were photographed, and the images were subsequently hand printed as lithographs. Special attention was given to capturing the fine details and textures within each image. The suite of eleven lithographs was printed using 90 photolithography plates and 133 colors, with delicate embossed areas added to the skies, windows, shadows and alcoves, further enriching their depth and texture. This cycle of deconstruction, construction, and reconstruction is evident in the final works, which showcase both subtle and strong blended colors that enhance the architectural forms, shapes, and shadows. Demand’s work is renowned for its ability to transform familiar scenes into poignant reflections on contemporary issues. The series includes notable works such as Concattedrale Gran Madre di Dio, depicting the 1970 cathedral in Taranto, Italy, designed by Gio Ponti. Demand highlights the cathedral’s openwork walls, reminiscent of a paper cutout, and its role as a sanctuary for immigrants today. Another significant work, Notre-Dame de Reims, reflects on the tragic bombing of the Reims Cathedral during World War I and its subsequent reconstruction, symbolizing the fragile constructions of national identity. Shepherd Ivory Franz Hall II pays homage to the rational, modular efficiency of the UCLA building designed by Paul Revere Williams, the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects. Demand draws parallels between the building’s design and Williams’ complex biography.