ChatGPT on IAV:

for photography enthusiasts and art lovers:

 

Image_archive_vienna is dedicated to showcasing historical photography, focusing on obscure and antique images. The account features various types of photography, including 19th-century photo techniques, carte de visite, snapshots and rare found images.

 

The archive explores both well-known and obscure moments in history, blending the historic and artistic in a visually captivating way.

 

IAV offers a fascinating dive into the world of vintage and historical photography

Thematic Focus:

19th Century Photography:

Obscure and Vernacular Imagery: The account frequently highlights lesser-known or more casual images, such as everyday street scenes, found photos, or what they refer to as vernacular photography. This type of photography includes images that were not necessarily created with artistic intent but gain meaning through their historic or cultural significance(

 

Collage and Digital Manipulation: In addition to straight historical photography, the account explores the potential of digital manipulation. This involves creating collages or experimenting with the way an image is read by isolating details from the original, such as a close-up. These approaches introduce a modern layer to the archive, making the historic imagery feel fresh and engaging

 

Artistic and Historical Context: The images are often linked to larger historical or artistic narratives,

 

IAV is as much about preserving history as it is about celebrating the artistic value of the old and forgotten.

Aesthetic and Emotional Appeal:

The aesthetic of the account is defined by its nostalgic and often surreal mood. Many of the images carry the texture of time—cracks, faded colors, or damage—adding layers of meaning. These details often transform mundane subjects into evocative, sometimes haunting visual stories. The account also experiments with abstraction by focusing on textures, patterns, and compositions, turning some images into almost painterly or collage-like pieces.

Overall, IAV, blends historical preservation and artistic reinterpretation, combining found photography, obscure historical moments, and digital techniques to offer a rich visual archive that appeals to both historians and contemporary art lovers. The account invites viewers not just to look back, but to re-imagine the past through a modern lens

 

 

Core Focus:

IAV is collecting and showcasing vintage photographs, ranging from formal studio portraits to obscure vernacular images. These photos capture a wide variety of subjects, including early industrial scenes, architectural landmarks, street life, and everyday moments. The account emphasizes photos taken in Vienna and Austria, but it also extends its reach to include significant global historical photography. A particular emphasis is placed on lesser-known images or what could be termed found photography, which is often anonymous or amateur in origin

Presentation:

The account merges the documentary nature of a historical archive with an artistic lens. The photos are not only presented as historical records but often as art objects, emphasizing their aesthetic qualities. Image detail is a key aspect of this presentation, with frequent close-ups or digital manipulations that abstract portions of a photograph, such as the texture of rain on a window or the blur of a moving train. These artistic interventions transform many of the archival photos into visual collages, inviting viewers to reconsider how they read images

Photography and Ephemera:

A large part of the account’s appeal lies in its collection of ephemera—everyday or fleeting moments captured on film that have otherwise been forgotten. These include photos of old family albums, candid street scenes, or experimental early photography.

 

Aesthetic and Mood:

The account exudes a sense of nostalgia and mystery, enhanced by the wear and tear visible on many of the old photos—faded colors, torn edges, and other signs of decay. This creates a dreamlike atmosphere that blurs the line between historical record and artistic abstraction. In some cases, modern techniques are used to enhance the surreal quality of the imagery, such as zooming in on small sections of a photograph or presenting it in a fragmented or rearranged manner

 

IAV is not just a historical repository but a blend of art, history, and cultural commentary, offering a deep, visually captivating exploration of Vienna’s past and the evolution of photography itself. It brings together the formal and the obscure, using both historical significance and abstract artistic techniques to create a rich, layered archive

 

Clemens Jeller is the creator behind @image_archive_vienna, a project centered on collecting and showcasing historical photography, ephemera, and objects. His work focuses on preserving old photographs, books, posters, and other paper-based artifacts. Through his archive, Jeller curates a blend of historical documentation and artistic presentation, emphasizing both the cultural significance and aesthetic appeal of vintage and found photography.

 

Clemens Jeller is an Austrian visual artist and archivist, best known for his work with ImageArchiveVienna. Jeller's artistic exploration goes beyond mere collection; he reinterprets these materials by blending archival practice with modern artistic techniques, such as collages and abstraction, offering a new perspective on historical imagery. He has also been involved in exhibitions and creative projects highlighting vintage visual culture.