Frank Herfort’s photographs are personal invitations to explore self-contained worlds that startle with rich detail and vibrant color. The 34-year-old photographer, who is based in Berlin, spends much of time working in Russia and captured many of his photos there. Some of his images of these eye-catching structures are published in his last book, “Imperial Pomp: Post-Soviet High-Rise.” The collection also includes places like Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus. Glimpses of the surrounding areas – sometimes quite bleak or in contrast to the skyscraper of note – can be seen in many of the photos. The people nearby are just going about their lives, oblivious to the camera’s watchful eye. His style is influenced by social realism: people are shown in their everyday life, which seems to be made up by banal details. Urban areas are captured in their vast dimensions. At a first quick glance this appears to be a simply frank, straightforward and clear reflection of ‘reality’. A longer reception reveals that this depiction can be seen as ironic, questioning and hyper-real. Frank has made exploring the contrasts and contradictions of life in contemporary Russia a central focus of his artistic work. Whether situated in the austere, crumbling remains of Soviet society or the opulent homes of modern Russian oligarchs, the spellbinding results demonstrate a singular talent for documentary storytelling. These immersive environments intrigue with people and riveting places seemingly caught out of both time and context. Frank’s keen eye for stunning settings has been employed by numerous advertisers and he is represented in galleries throughout the world.
