ARTIST DUO
ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHY
  • ARTIST DUO
  • ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHY

UN*SCHULD

Innocence, guilt and everything in between.

Excessive water consumption in the fashion industry raises concerns for the future of this vital resource. Despite awareness, necessary actions have been delayed. Who is to blame? Consumers, designers, or the industry? The lines between guilt, innocence, and blame blur. Our project aims to capture this contradiction of zeitgeist, promoting introspection on material use, especially water. 

We symbolize water using hundreds of water glass pictures on collodion wetplates to create a dress. This dress is showcased through fashion photography prints. Worn, the metal dress is uncomfortable—hot in the sun and chills in the cold—offering a glimpse of the climate catastrophe’s effect on skin. Our work emphasizes self-reflection on our wastefulness with toxic chemicals and blindness to these issues.

Identity

 In the artwork “Entangled Identities”, the artists presents a captivating depiction of the complex concept of identity. A transparent glass panel showcases a translucent portrait. However, behind this portrait lies a mysterious photograph of an object that plays a significant role in the depicted person’s life. The theme of identity is explored in a multifaceted manner in this artwork. The transparency of the portrait symbolizes the transparency and openness with which we present ourselves to the world. We tend to showcase ourselves as we want to be seen, yet a part of our identity remains hidden, known only to those close to us.
 
 The object behind the portrait embodies the deeply rooted aspects that shape our identity. It can be an object that reminds us of our past, an important milestone, or a significant encounter. This object acts as a key that enables us to understand the complex structure of our identity. The connection between the portrait and the object illustrates that our identity does not exist in isolation but is intertwined with our surroundings and experiences. Our identity is formed in relation to other people, places, and the things that surround us. We are a product of our history and interactions.
 
 The artwork “Interwoven Identities” encourages viewers to contemplate the complexity and fluidity of identity. It raises the question of whether it is even possible to capture the true essence of a person or if identity is always evolving and in flux. Perhaps we are all a collection of fragments and memories that make us who we are. In a world where identity is often confined to stereotypes and fixed categories, this artwork serves as a reminder that identity is a complex tapestry of personal experiences, emotions, and connections. It encourages us to explore our own identity and view the identities of others with openness and empathy. “Interwoven Identities” invites viewers on a journey of self-discovery and understanding. It offers us the opportunity to celebrate the diversity of identity and recognize the unique story behind each individual.

Contradiction

Contrasting images in harmony

Two artists | one project.
Yin Yang | together for themselves.

Yin, the feminine, dark and heavy part is represented by photographs on heavy black glass or black coated aluminum (tintypes). Silvery still lifes, sad and deep, relaxed and thoughtful.

Yang, the masculine part, is portrayed bright and spirited with many outbursts of emotions such as anger, jealousy and love. Bright subjects in motion, dancers, musicians or yoga instructors. This energy is captured in analog on medium and large format, the works are hand prints on baryte paper, framed with antireflective museum glass.

These are two states that condition and exclude each other. Something that is at rest cannot be in motion at the same time. However, in the ideal case, rest and movement are alternating. Dance lives from movement just as much as from rest, pausing, recharging the batteries, tensing up before the next leap, the next explosion of energy that overwhelms the viewer. To portray both, the vibrant energy, but also the powerful calm is the goal of this project. 

Revelation

Hands reveal us unique insights into the soul of a person and help us to immerse ourself deeper in their world and emotions. Open hands, fists, showing the back or the palm, reveal self awareness and reactions towards their environment. 

Our project presents the hands of four generations of women within one family. Captured in large format and complemented by gingko leaves on wetplate. The heart of the series are the hands of the youngest member of the family together with her great grandmother. The baby turns towards her for security, wisdom and support – symbolized by the hand of the older generation.

The lines and wrinkles of old hands tell stories about the lived years, the eventful life still in front the baby. The open hand offers support and care. The fine branching structures mirror some of those found in nature, we can discover similarities between them and the gingko leaves.

© 2023 malek.show – Nicole und Claus-Peter Malek

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