Claudia Willmitzer
Photographer
Amsterdam
WHO YOU ARE:
I am Claudia Willmitzer, a Visual Storyteller, Artist and Wanderer born in former East Germany 1982.
I studied at the Friedl Kubelka School for artistic Photography and Independent Cinema.
Already in my childhood, I created different imaginary and visions within myself. Back then, I thought these are real worlds to live in, so I wished to visit them when I am older.
At the age of seven, I travelled to the Middle East for the first time which connected me to deserted landscapes. I was fascinated, at how much beauty a desert has even though is so simple. This first impression influenced my vision ever since and later my visual language.
YOU DESCRIBED YOURSELF AS SOMEONE WITH A INNER RICH LIFE. HOW CAN A REGULAR DAILY ROUTINE GIVE YOU INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WORK?
Indeed that is an important question for me. Routines can make me free to create inner visions. Beside that: sounds, colours, light, smells overwhelm me fast and break the circle of routine. This is both positive and negative.
It helps me a lot to move slow within topics and projects.
For example, if I work in a place I have take my time to settle in. My former flatmate in Beirut told me once, that it seems I almost get adopted into the place. As the contrast between the place and my existence get melted into each other. This can be a way for me of getting inspiration. By filtering everything out until an essence is left. This I use as an inspiration.
YOU'VE BEEN WORKING AS AN PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS.
HOW HAS YOUR PRACTISE OF WORK HAS CHANGED OVER TIME?
It hasn't changed much but it got easier to understand what I don’t want to do.
I believe I had a strong signature on my work from the very beginning . Over the years I've tried to focus less on Photography but also think of Cross Media Art.
In my latest project for example, I include audio and paintings or collages.
In general, I feel our whole visual expression has changed by social media especially through Instagram.
We get shaped from social media rather than taught. I think we allow ourselves to search less for that what we really aim to learn. Which is different from person to person. For me it is always good to turn away from social media to get a fresh eye on my own view again and follow my Intuition.
INTUTION?
Yes, I probably never really plan a project. I start with one idea and end with something different. Mostly because I am learning so much on the way, so sticking to a plan doesn’t make sense anymore.
The goal is important. Which for me is to finish a project even if it never feels done.
Whatever is on the way, technical aspects and contents of the project can change till I am done.
SPEAKING ABOUT CHANGE. HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC INFLUENCED YOUR WORK PRACTICE?
I guess it's influenced most artists. We have to reinvent ourselves and get a new perspectives of our work practise. It's good to understand that nothing is static and everything changes all the time. I see a lot of potential in getting into a new understanding of importance of the world and that freedom starts within ourselves.
WHAT ARE YOU NEW PROJECTS?
I am currently working on a multi media art project about loneliness which includes the making of masks and paintings combined with portrait photography. It is a very colourful work and very out of the usual minimalist way of working.
There are some other new projects of course in my mind already. So I am waiting for the travel restrictions to be lifted so I can restart inspiration by sleeping a night in the desert.
