Eli Matityahu
Artist statement
From my point of view, a work of art is a meeting point between the artist and the viewer.
After shooting the frame, I continue the procedure with post-processing, according to my inspiration and creativity.
In my work, I present the reality as I see it in my mind's eye. Be it Surrealistic, Realistic, or Abstract. I specialize in fine art, long exposure, architecture, and I am attracted to Zaha Hadid Architecture.
I'm in the process of photographing and editing all of Zaha's projects all over the world. I take part in international photography competitions and have won prizes.
My works have been exhibited worldwide, and one of my photographs participates in an exhibition in the Louvre Museum. I live and create in Israel with a lot of pleasure and passion.
My works are for sale. They can be printed in any size, ready to be hung mounted on the aluminum bard, Pvc bard, plexiglass, or photo paper. For further details, please contact me by e-mail at: elimati@gmail.com.
Abou the book- "Architectural Portraits"
This debut book presents a selection of my works created between 2015 and 2020. The works reflect my passion for abstract architectural photography. The viewer is invited to contemplate a personal interpretation of architectural forms worldwide and participate in a visual-emotional experience.
The selected works focus on international, iconic, contemporary, and groundbreaking architecture, of the great architects. which inspire me. I took the photographs in the course of my travels around the world.
For me, the impressive structures I photographed recall human portraits with unique characteristics. I, therefore, chose to call the book "Architectural Portraits".
As a photography artist, architecture as an important, innovative, creative, and bold art form, challenges me to create uncommon images that conceal a secret hidden within the photographed objects. It inspires me to produce a visual experience that reflects my interpretation of the object while allowing viewers to interpret it independently.
The works in the book are the result of a process that begins with the photographed image, which then undergoes complex editing stages. The original images were processed using an abstract-minimalist and personal emotional language that creates a story.
The story's elements, as well as the image's form, light and shadow, lighting, texture, and drama, span a spectrum between absolute black and absolute white. These components grant the creation a new appearance that expresses how I see it in my mind's eye.
Creating the novel image involves different means, such as erasing a distracting background, enhancing unique lighting, and heightening dramatic effects, using shades of black and white.
The resulting work reveals new, uncommon aspects of architectural elements that do not appear at first sight. It highlights the unique character of the image, regardless of the color or surroundings of the photographed object.
These works are the fruit of my ongoing personal development as an artist. For years, I have drawn inspiration from photographers like Ansel Adams, Michel Kenna, Koudelka, H. Sugimoto, S. Salgado, E. Steichen, and others.
My photography guides were: Eldad Refaeli; Nissan Perez; Eyal Landesman; Joel Tjintjelaar; Offer Goldfarb; Moshe Ronen; Baruch Gian and others.
The series of photographs in the book constitutes a partial summary of many years of artistic work, inviting viewers to a personal encounter and introducing them to the world of contemporary architecture.
I drew inspiration from the unique architectural works by architect Zaha Hadid, in homage to whom I dedicated a chapter in the book.
"Architectural Portraits" is the first book in a series of photography books planned to be published by me soon.
The book was published with the help and support of family and friends. I am deeply grateful to them all, and particularly to:
Varda Matityahu, my wife, who has accompanied me and is my trusted consultant;
Eldad Rafaeli, mentor, photographer, curator, and editor, who has been accompanying my work for many years;
Dr. Nissan N.Perez, Photography historian and curator, who consulted and assisted me in selecting the works and deciding on the sequence in the book;
Shmulik Neto-Cohen, graphic designer/producer who designed the book skillfully and creatively and assisted in its publication.
Eli Matityahu
July 2021
