In her artistic practice, Laura J. Padgett reveals the historical layers beneath the outer crust of the present. Her new work, which she made during the last two years at the Poelzig-Bau in Frankfurt, sheds light on the complex background of the building. Architectural and industrial history, collusion with National Socialism, post WWII history under the American military administration, and most recently becoming home to the J.W. Goethe University since 2001 manifest themselves in significan…

The spaces we create have meaning. These spaces are enclosed by structures. These structures definitely have meaning. What we don‘t see at first glance is the resonation of those who occupy and use these spaces, but they are there, they are palpable. Laura J. Padgett has spent time in the Frankfurt Westend Synagogue recording resonances, making images between space, structure, spirit and time. Through them we learn what resilience can be and how it expresses itself in the presence of thi…

In her most recent work, Laura J. Padgett continues her exploration into public and private space and the places in between. The way in which we structure and delineate our environment is always an expression of our relationship to society and is coincident to the visual. In many situations the gaze replaces our physical ability to enter a particular location. The artist’s main theme remains photography’s ability to depict things while fostering conceptual narratives that …