Libraries - Inspiration in Past and Present

This series was strongly inspired by the artist’s memories and evaluation of his own upbringing. Having been raised in Germany, the subconscious effects of growing up amidst significant historic sites became evident in adulthood. He developed great nostalgia for the inspirational qualities of historic environments; particularly libraries. Libraries are amongst the world’s most important buildings as they preserve mankind’s cumulative knowledge and heritage for future generations. They are gateways to respective culture, shape new perspectives central to an innovative society and provide a connection to the world at large. Many libraries are architectural masterpieces of breathtaking beauty. But no matter how opulent or simple the design, these magnificent rooms are invaluable repositories of historically and culturally significant collections, many of which are not available anywhere else in the world. Basner’s photographs are intuitive and emotionally inspired architectural portraits, conveying a deep sense of space and immersive exploration of these striking environments. They depict the inspirational values of institutions built to discover, learn, gather and explore, subliminally pointing to the stark contrast of behavior patterns in the digital information age.