Tillmans Making Picture of Tree Filling Window

Wolfgang Tillmans, Tree Filling Window, 2002, 208.3 x 141 cm, as installed at the Beyeler in 2023, image via Sonan Khetan Speaking of early 2000s color, surfing around on Wolfgang Tillmans’ birthday [HBD, King!], the sheer majesty of Tree Filling Window (2002) just leapt out of the grid at me. Weirdly, it didn’t leave such an impression at MoMA, where the vibe was overwhelming. I do think it gains from Tillmans’ bulldog clip exhibition practice vs the framed for sale edition. And while those edges matter, obviously, it’s seeing the image on its own that hit me: the reflections in the window panes, the framing, the references, the colors. That tree may be filling that window, but Wolfgang was making that picture. I would really love to stand in front of it again.