The Evolution of a Photographer's Journey
Felix Schoeppner's story is a captivating one, revealing how life's twists and turns can shape an artist's path. His journey began with a borrowed camera and a skateboarding session, an unlikely start for a conceptual photographer. But it's these unexpected origins that make his work so intriguing.
From Skateboarding to Still Life
Schoeppner's early life, surrounded by architecture and weekend museum visits, hinted at a future in design. However, a Nikon D40 and a growing fascination with photography steered him towards Communication Design. His assisting years, particularly with Olaf Blecker and Michael Schnabel, laid the technical foundation, especially in lighting and precision. Despite his initial reluctance, still life photography became a pivotal part of his journey.
A Personal Turning Point
The turning point came with a series of personal events. A relationship's end and a cancer diagnosis disrupted his documentary project, 'Artificial Landscapes'. This period of illness and isolation, as he describes, was almost therapeutic. It led him to the workshop of Arno Rafael Minkkinen, whose intuitive and bodily-engaged approach to photography was a revelation. Here, still life became a space for personal expression and conceptual exploration.
Cognition and the Bauhaus Centenary
'Cognition', Schoeppner's series, marked his new direction. It was exhibited across Germany as part of the Bauhaus centenary, showcasing his unique style. Everyday materials and scientific references are arranged to challenge perception, with billiard balls forming a solar system and household goods creating structures. This meticulous construction process can take days, weeks, or even months, reflecting his dedication to the craft.
Handle with Care: A New Perspective on Work
Schoeppner's 'Handle with Care' series delves into the world of labor, automation, and the human desire to avoid tasks. This project is a testament to his evolution as an artist, moving from reacting to situations to constructing them. His process begins with a loose term or idea, followed by extensive testing and experimentation. The series' conceptual groundwork took nearly two years, emphasizing the importance of patience and precision in his work.
The Art of Construction and Deconstruction
What's fascinating is how Schoeppner's background in assisting and still life influences his process. He navigates the creative journey with ease, viewing the camera as a tool to record decisions made beforehand. The studio becomes a workshop, where the image is built before it's photographed, adding a sculptural quality. His use of familiar materials and objects creates a tension between recognition and uncertainty, drawing viewers into a gradual understanding of the image.
Technical Precision and Imperfection
Technically, Schoeppner's work is a dance between precision and intentional imperfection. He employs focus stacking for detailed tool photographs and shallow depth of field for spatial ambiguity in other scenes. His lighting choices are equally deliberate, evolving from controlled high-contrast to more natural, scene-emergent lighting. Post-production is restrained, focusing on refining rather than altering the image.
Handle with Care: A Reflection on Modern Work
'Handle with Care' is a thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between work, technology, and control. It was inspired by the human tendency to invent tools to avoid tasks, a behavior amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 'mouse movers' in the project, simulating user activity, are a testament to human ingenuity and humor. Schoeppner's research into DIY solutions and his reflection on over-engineering offer a unique perspective on our evolving relationship with work, especially in the age of automation and AI.
The Power of Personal Experience
What makes Schoeppner's work stand out is how he weaves personal experiences into his art. His journey through illness and recovery, his architectural background, and his fascination with mechanical processes all contribute to a unique artistic voice. This blend of technical precision and personal narrative is what makes his photography so compelling, offering viewers a window into a world where everyday objects become vehicles for profound ideas.
