I am delighted to announce that one of my project works will be presented at the prestigious "Rencontre de la Photographie 2024" event in Arles. From over 150 applications, I was selected as one of 40 artists to take part in the group exhibition "Beyond the Surface". This exhibition is curated by ProfiFoto and is part of the "Arles OFF" programme.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the renowned sponsors of the exhibition White Wall and Snap Collectivewho are making this special event possible. In the following, I would like to present the project and the individual pictures in more detail and take you on a visual journey through my artistic vision "Kolkata - Veils of Light".
Behind the veils of light
"Kolkata - Veils of Light"
When I was in Kolkata in November 2023, I was deeply impressed by the city with its stark contrasts and energetic atmosphere. The vibrant life and constant movement in the city are captivating. In the photo project "Kolkata - Veils of Light", I want to capture the essence of these fleeting moments and reflect my interaction with the dynamic environment as I immersed myself in life on the streets.
Turning moments into visual poetry, my approach to fine art photography is fuelled by a deep-seated need to capture scenes as I see, feel and experience them - right in the camera. This perspective allows me to explore not only the large and obvious, but also the subtle, fleeting moments of our lives that make each publication a unique reflection of existence.
With this series of black and white photographs, I want to visualise the vibrant pulse of Kolkata. Guided by my impressions, intuition and impulses, I move my camera in response to the bustling city streets, the soundscape and the ever-changing scenes around me. Through these curtains of light and shadow, each image captures the dynamic interplay of emotions, sounds and the bustling life that characterises this fascinating metropolis. My aim is to convey the feeling of being immersed in the rhythm of Kolkata, emphasising the simple beauty of extreme contrasts and inviting the viewer to look behind the veil, the veil of light.
"Bridge to the Rich"
This photo shows the iconic Howrah Bridge, an important link between Calcutta's two neighbourhoods. In the past, the bridge separated the areas where the colonial rulers resided from the neighbourhoods of their employees. The image conveys the dynamic energy and historical depth of this bustling city, blending past and present in a mesmerising dance of light and movement.
"Skyline No Skyline"
The fascinating scene with masts in the water, industrial plants and a ferry dock in the background caught my attention. The composition is reminiscent of a surreal interpretation and transforms the industrial landscape into an abstract, city-like setting. The masts rise up like mysterious sentinels and merge with the industrial elements to create a dreamlike depiction of a skyline that challenges our perception and invites us to think more deeply.
"Three Kings"
At sunset, I observed the following scene on the riverbank:
A group of young people dressed one of their friends in traditional garb, right by the water.
The scene evokes a mesmerising interpretation, appearing like the holy kings on their unknown path. The reflective water in the background adds to this impression, casting an ethereal glow that blends the spiritual with the mundane. This composition invites the viewer to reflect on the coexistence of past and present, highlighting the enduring influence of cultural traditions in a timeless moment.
"Prayer of Light"
When I visited a famous mosque, I saw this woman in a dress and headscarf preparing for prayer in front of a shrine. The shrine is bathed in bright light and only the intense illumination is visible. The woman seems to merge with the glistening light and become almost ethereal, while she is no longer aware of her surroundings. This image conveys a profound moment of spiritual connection and transcendence, in which the boundaries between the believer and the divine are blurred in the glow of the shrine's light.
"Rickshaw Dreams"
Exhibited in the group exhibition
"Beyond the Surface at "Arles OFF"
In the busy streets of Calcutta, a man pulls a rickshaw while someone walks behind him. I noticed him more than I saw him, turning quickly and framing the composition while moving the camera to the rhythm of his stride. The passer-by in the background appears to be sitting in the rickshaw, although he is not actually doing so. I'm sure the two people didn't even notice each other, but in the picture the two people merge into one through the movement. This photo captures a fleeting moment of urban life, merging two separate individual paths into a single, harmonious and energetic scene.
"I am Taller"
This night photo was taken in a secluded square in the middle of a chaotic environment where people were interacting in small groups. A boy on a ladder and a young woman in traditional white clothing stood out. The young woman, standing with her back to the scene, appears introverted, while the boy on the ladder reaches upwards. Despite their individual actions, the composition makes them appear connected and in dialogue with each other. The interplay between the boy's upward movement and the woman's stillness creates a visual narrative that brings the two together in a moment of silent communication amidst the hustle and bustle around them.
"Into the Light"
In an unexpected moment on the streets of Kolkata, a young man walks by. I was photographing another subject when I had the feeling that someone was communicating with me without words. I turned round, aimed the camera and just had to take this photo. I don't know where this person came from or where they were going, but in the picture they are walking into the light. This moment of silent communication symbolises a journey into the unknown, illuminated by the glow of possibility and hope.
"Devils Arm"
A riverside scene emerged from behind the hustle and bustle of the flower market, behind which the Howrah Bridge spans the river. After their work, poor people clean themselves and their belongings in the murky water. The picture shows the ghostly outline of a man with his arm and head engaged in this activity. The composition and the way the scene is captured make it seem as if the devil is reaching out to the invisible people, apparently to free them from the filth of their existence. The interplay of light and shadow in this photograph creates a haunting contrast that symbolises the eternal dance between purity and impurity.
"Aligning Aliens"
This photograph shows two young people on the streets of Calcutta, strangers who meet for a brief moment. The movement of the camera lends the scene an alien quality and distorts their physical proportions. The light in the background lends them an ethereal appearance, giving the impression that they have wings. Their silhouettes stand out clearly against the intense light and create an image that goes beyond the ordinary. It seems as if these two figures are stepping out of the blinding light into our lives to make contact with us and bridge the gap between their world and ours.
"Floating Eyes"
Walking through the famous botanical garden of Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, the visitor can discover many natural beauties in the midst of the busy city. The ponds caught my attention. In some of them grows a species of water lily with large, round leaves. With their symmetrical circles of different sizes, these leaves resembled a multitude of eyes to me. Through my in-camera effect and the movement of the camera in the pulse of the moment, they look like half-closed eyes in a state of meditation - they invite the viewer to connect with them. This creates an "eye-to-eye" dialogue, engaging the viewer in a silent conversation with the natural universe in general and this unique moment in particular.
The fleeting beauty of the moment:
Abstract photography and the art of deliberate camera movement
I am an artist passionate about exploring the realms of abstract photography, fuelled by my love of photography, wine and travel. I deeply believe that photography is driven by impulse, intuition and inspiration, and capture the essence of life's constant movement and vitality in my images. Using the technique of Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), my abstract photographs bring to life the vibrant energy and ephemeral nature of the world around us.
My intention is to reflect the atmosphere, vibrancy and transience of each moment and to remind us of the transience of our perceptions. As mediators between time and space, my photographs embody the dynamic interplay between living beings and the tangible world.
My photographic art offers a new perspective and encourages the viewer to engage with the transient beauty of life.
