Turning the "Happiest Place on Earth" into a somewhat cold and dismal place, Düsseldorf-based photographer Thomas Struth shows us a different side of Disneyland -- and all he had to change was the lighting.
"I want to reconsider how the process of imagination and fantasy works in general, how something which has built up in someone’s mind has materialized and become reality," says Struth.
Capturing Disneyland in such a surreal way, the photography series portrays this fantasy-filled world in a slightly eerie and ethereal way. The unusually empty space gives it a sterile look, showing us that fantasy is man-made.
"My focus was particularly drawn to the ambiguity between what Walt Disney had remembered from his trips to Europe and how it was later rebuilt as a kind of latent reality in California," says Struth.
Sterile Surreal Fantasyland Photography
This Disneyland Photography Series is Ethereally Eerie
Trend Themes
1. Surreal Photography in Tourism - Exploring ethereal and eerie aesthetics in tourism photography to attract a new range of travelers.
2. Redefining Fantasy Spaces - Disrupting traditional notions of fantasy spaces by exploring the man-made aspects of them.
3. Empty Space Aesthetics - Embracing negative space in artwork as a way to emphasize the subject matter.
Industry Implications
1. Tourism Industry - Opportunities for the tourism industry to attract travelers seeking alternative and unique experiences.
2. Art Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunities for artists to explore new visual aesthetics and challenge traditional concepts of art.
3. Theme Park Industry - Opportunities for theme park companies to incorporate a more surreal and artistic aesthetic to attract a new range of visitors.