English tanks from World War I of the Mark V type cross each other on endless loops in several planes, always returning to their starting points. The dark environment, the high cotrasts and the desaturated colors give the images of the picture series a gloomy wartime mood.
‘Composition A With Mark V Tanks’ from the first series of paintings ‘Infinite Rebirth of Madness’ / 2022 / Digital painting / Exposure on Fujiflex photo paper / Limited edition: 3 + 1 AP / 13,287 Pixel (H) ∙ 23,622 Pixel (W) / 44.3″ (H) ∙ 78.8″ (W) / Numbered and signed by hand.

The present work is protected by copyright in all its parts.
© 2022 by Heinz Hermann Maria Hoppe.
All rights reserved.

‘Infinite Rebirth of Madness’ /// First Series of Paintings : : :

‘Endless Madness’ : : : Digital Paintings

The entire infinity loop is placed centrally on the image background. The long shot with the many tanks creates an overview.
‘Composition B With Mark V Tanks’ from the first series of paintings ‘Infinite Rebirth of Madness’ / 2022 / Digital painting / Exposure on Fujiflex photo paper / Limited edition: 3 + 1 AP / 13,287 Pixel (H) ∙ 23,622 Pixel (W) / 44.3″ (H) ∙ 78.8″ (W) / Numbered and signed by hand.
Detail. The front tank is heavily cropped and drives into the picture. The guns, rivets and sheet metal depict the constructive crudeness of the early tanks in WWI.
‘Composition C With Mark V Tanks’ from the first series of paintings ‘Infinite Rebirth of Madness’ / 2022 / Digital painting / Exposure on Fujiflex photo paper / Limited edition: 3 + 1 AP / 13,287 Pixel (H) ∙ 23,622 Pixel (W) ∙ 78.8″ (W) / Numbered and signed by hand.
Change of perspective. The infinity sign is placed in all shots, its shape repeated in the large, white, self-luminous loops.
‘Composition D With Mark V Tanks’ from the first series of paintings ‘Infinite Rebirth of Madness’ / 2022 / Digital painting / Exposure on Fujiflex photo paper / Limited edition: 3 + 1 AP / 13,287 Pixel (H) ∙ 23,622 Pixel (W) / 44.3″ (H) ∙ 78.8″ (W) / Numbered and signed by hand.
Oblique frontal view of a tank with staggering of many continuous loops into the image depth.
‘Composition E With Mark V Tanks’ from the first series of paintings ‘Infinite Rebirth of Madness’ / 2022 / Digital painting / Exposure on Fujiflex photo paper / Limited edition: 3 + 1 AP / 13,287 Pixel (H) ∙ 23,622 Pixel (W) / 44.3″ (H) ∙ 78.8″ (W) / Numbered and signed by hand.
Oblique view of the rows of tanks, with larger distance.
‘Composition F With Mark V Tanks’ from the first series of paintings ‘Infinite Rebirth of Madness’ / 2022 / Digital painting / Exposure on Fujiflex photo paper / Limited edition: 3 + 1 AP / 13,287 Pixel (H) ∙ 23,622 Pixel (W) / 44.3″ (H) ∙ 78.8″ (W) / Numbered and signed by hand.
Another perspective.
‘Composition G With Mark V Tanks’ from the first series of paintings ‘Infinite Rebirth of Madness’ / 2022 / Digital painting / Exposure on Fujiflex photo paper / Limited edition: 3 + 1 AP / 13,287 Pixel (H) ∙ 23,622 Pixel (W) / 44.3″ (H) ∙ 78.8″ (W) / Numbered and signed by hand.
The impression of an infinite time period results from the depth staggering of the infinity loops, on which the tanks seem to drive endlessly in circles.
‘Composition H With Mark V Tanks’ from the first series of paintings ‘Infinite Rebirth of Madness’ / 2022 / Digital painting / Exposure on Fujiflex photo paper / Limited edition: 3 + 1 AP / 13,287 Pixel (H) ∙ 23,622 Pixel (W) / 44.3″ (H) ∙ 78.8″ (W) / Numbered and signed by hand.

Comment
Author: Heinz Hermann Maria Hoppe

The list of wars and battles fought is long and it does not stop. After the unspeakable experiences in countless conflicts, from ancient times through the 20 centuries of the new era, brute force still prevails in the end. Two world wars have failed to condemn tanks, guns and bombs. “Never again war”, the guiding principle of those who have suffered and experienced war, is erased again and again.

National disputes are initially bipolar. Two opponents have conflicting interests, compromise each other and do not want to come to an agreement. Openly or subliminally, the conflict expands; pacts are forged. If the spiral of confrontations and demands is not broken in time, if no concessions are made, world conflagration can result.

The power structures in armed conflicts are becoming more opaque. Instead of dynastic battles, there are proxy wars, civil and drug wars, terror cells and riots. The Thucydides Trap, in which an established power is challenged by a new one, is even reversed: former empires reclaim former territories and spheres of power – as if the wheel of history could be turned back at will.

Adaptable as it is, the rational being prolongs again and again the self-made, inhuman conditions. Do we hold ourselves captive in an endless loop of wars? Why can’t we find a way out after so many experiences of war?
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