Alfred Seiland’s East Coast to West Coast is more than a photographic travelogue—it’s a timeless exploration of the U.S. between 1979 and 1999, marked by curiosity, sensitivity, and technical mastery. Born in 1952 in Leoben, Austria, Seiland began as a self-taught photographer in the late 1960s but soon developed a distinctive style. By the mid-1970s, he worked exclusively in color, and in 1979, he switched to large-format analog photography, a medium that lent his images unparalleled depth and precision.
A Transatlantic Dialogue: Seiland Meets Meyerowitz
What makes the Baden exhibition so compelling is its juxtaposition with Joel Meyerowitz (b. 1938, Bronx), a pioneer of street photography and color imagery. Both share an intuitive approach, capturing everyday scenes with an eye for the extraordinary—whether it’s deserted gas stations, neon-lit diners, or endless highways. Their images reveal an America that feels both familiar and enigmatic.
Though they crossed paths multiple times during their U.S. travels and admired each other’s work, their photographs have never been exhibited together—until now. This “duet” in Baden offers a rare chance to compare their perspectives: a European and an American, trained on the same landscapes yet yielding profoundly distinct interpretations.
The Art of the Unseen: Seiland’s Forgotten Places
As highlighted by the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation, Seiland’s genius lies in his “subtle observation of the mundane.” His East Coast – West Coast series avoids clichéd postcard views, instead immortalizing roadside motels, truck stops, and empty streets with haunting beauty. The Lomography Magazine describes his aesthetic as “quiet yet arresting”—a testament to his ability to transform overlooked corners into poetic, almost painterly compositions.
From FAZ Campaigns to Imperium Romanum: Seiland’s Evolution
Seiland’s acclaim extends far beyond his U.S. work. His 1995–2001 FAZ campaign (“Behind it all is a sharp mind”) showcased his knack for striking visuals, while his ongoing Imperium Romanum project (since 2006) documents ancient ruins with archaeological rigor and sublime artistry. Institutions like MoMA New York and the Albertina Vienna collect his works, and festivals like Les Rencontres d’Arles have celebrated his legacy. From 1997 to 2019, he shaped future photographers as a professor at Stuttgart’s State Academy of Fine Arts.
Final Frame: Two Masters, One Vision
The Seiland-Meyerowitz pairing in Baden is a masterclass in photographic storytelling—two artists, one subject, and infinitely nuanced results. For anyone who believes photography can interpret reality, not just record it, this exhibition is unmissable.
Further reading:
- Seilands Monografie East Coast – West Coast (1986)
- Joel Meyerowitz‘ Wild Flowers oder Aftermath für eine Gegenüberstellung
- Imperium Romanum (Hatje Cantz, 2018) für Seilands jüngstes Großprojekt
- Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation: Alfred Seiland
- Lomography: Unseen and Understated Locations
Kurt Lhotzky
