First steps

First Steps: The Pursuit of Perfection in Imperfection

From the earliest steps of life, society imposes an insatiable pursuit of perfection. It was during a remarkable theatre performance by individuals with disabilities that I experienced a profound encounter with this concept of ‘perfection within imperfection.’ A rich tapestry of raw talent and unique capabilities unfolded before me, demonstrating that the essence of perfection often lies within perceived imperfections. This encounter left me contemplating the true nature of perfection and inspired the creation of “First Steps.”

Searching through my archive, I explored a multitude of imperfect elements within my photographs—the ailing tree, the drab grey clouds, the flaking paint, the crescent moon’s fragment, the flawed doll. Each considered imperfect in the traditional sense yet rich in aesthetic value and emotional resonance.

My intention was not to erase or adorn these imperfections. Instead, I sought to integrate them into an eclectic composition, creating a coherent ensemble that transcended their individual peculiarities. In placing these pieces together, striking a delicate harmony between their divergent forms, they transcended their individual peculiarities—a visual symphony that celebrated unvarnished beauty and authenticity.

This work, “First Steps,” is a digital collage—an amalgamation of the ‘imperfect’ elements that blend seamlessly into a complete and perfect scene

This piece is part of the series “Dreamscapes”. In my 2D images , which are photographic creations, I use elements from different photographs . I select the elements from reports of street theater, dance and drama and turn them into a new scene, a new setting. They are actually photographic collages. When that collage is finished, it is projected on a wall with damage, on cracks in walls or on old paintings on canvas with peeling varnish. Sometimes concrete is also used to project the photographic collage onto. Even printed photographs, pre-coated with a gel layer, I sometimes put them in water and photograph them through the water. The result is often surreal with a touch of humor. By using structures, the visitor gets the impression that he is looking at a painting. For this I was inspired by the well-known “trompe-l’oeil.” A trompe-l’œil is an image in the visual arts in which an optical illusion has been deliberately created. Trompe-l’œils are best known in painting as a painting technique in which the illusion of three-dimensional objects or space is created by an extremely realistic and detailed manner of painting. The word trompe-l’œil means illusion of sight. 

The artwork will be shipped in a sealed cardboard box and covered with bubble plastic film. The certificate, which accompanies the artwork, is also in the sealed box.