COMING SOON: Book publishing (Cow Protection Centre) 2009
Astrid is currently commissioned to work on two book
projects, scheduled for publication in spring and summer
2009. The first book is called ‘Cows and the Earth’ and is
describing the benefits of vegetarian food for the future of the
planet Earth. Vegetable based diets will contribute to
minimization of animal cruelty and habitat destruction. The
underlining message is back to natural and UK based farming.
The second publication is planed to be a guide book on
the
Hare Krishna temple near Watford, north of London in
connection with the International Society For Krishna
Consciousness. For updated information watch this space.
COMING SOON: ‘Car Park’ Exhibition 19.01 – 13.03.2009
The award winning series ‘Car Park’ is going to be exhibited.
Opening party: Friday, 23.01.09, 7-9pm
Venue: The Space @ Acumen
Acumen Business Group, Audley House
Hove Street, Hove, BN3 2DE
View by appointment: thespace@acumenbusinessgroup.com
On New Year’s Eve in 2006 Astrid had a very special experience. A
sudden change of weather turned
her journey upside down, but also lead to the mesmerizing images in her
‘Car Park’ series.
Her images shall remind us in the unpredictability of life. There is an
underlining message about the
threat of recent climate changes and how little we know about protecting
ourselves. Many people are
not fully aware about the meaning of the environmental problems, but in
some countries drastic
changes have already altered peoples lives in often tragic ways. The images
in ‘Car Park’ are a silent
reminder to think about the way we take our comfortable lives for granted,
but nothing lasts forever…
Image archive link: Featured Gallery at London Photographic Association
Journey to Cambodia 11 February - 23 March 2008
A project on French colonial and modernist 1960's architecture
brought Astrid to Cambodia. The main focus was on Battambang, Cambodia’s third
largest city, which still has a large number of colonial buildings in its
centre. However, many are under tread to be modernised or even demolished.
A current building and foreign investment boom has raised awareness to save
cultural heritage. Cambodia’s cities and towns are rather sleepy and don’t
yet compete with other South - East Asian cities. On the other hand, the facades
of local streets are adopting western characteristics such as large billboards,
concrete and glass as building materials and rising floor levels.
The German Development Service (DED) is currently supporting the city of Battambang
, which is working on a co-operational project on city planning and structural
improvements. Inspired by the given information Astrid spend some additional
time photographed buildings all over Cambodia and found them to be evidential
of recent history.
Impermanent Utopia (A Cambodian tale
of constant change and instability)
What comes to mind when you think of Cambodia? Is it Angkor Wat’s ancient
civilization or the Khmer Rouge as just another human made disaster, based
on idealistic ideas? Interestingly enough we can never avoid finding silent
signs of ‘long time gone’ stories. Weather or not we are able
to understand them is another question. It may just be a heap of stones, a
pile of rubble perhaps, telling us some facts. Is it the stones that are so
interesting or is it the people who left them behind?
Journey to Venice December 2007
Treviso Dormitory
There wasn’t much to do in Venice when I visited last year… It all started
well on the day of arrival, although I only had one hour before the sun
went down to get a glimpse of the city’s famous beauty.
Alas, the weather changed the following morning...
London Photographic Association Awards 2007
The London Photographic Association is a creative organisation showcasing commercial and fine art photography portfolios. One of their yearly activities is to run photography competitions throughout the year, covering the various genres of the medium. In summer 2007 Astrid was highly recommended in the 'Open Summer Competition' with a series called ‘Car Park’. Her ‘frozen’ images were taken during a trip to Spindleruv Bouda, Krkonoše, (about 1200m above see level), north of Czech Republic, on the last day of December 2005.
Car Park
Have you ever wondered - when sitting in a plane and looking out of the
window - what it would be like inside a cloud, where everything is white
and had no definition? Last December I found out – of course – one would
see absolutely nothing and it is far from being romantic...
Image archive link: London Photographic Association
Journey to Israel 2006
In April 2006 Astrid was commissioned to document the
annual Universal Peace Conference in Jerusalem. She extended the journey for a documentary project on zoos
in Israel as well as the Palestinian territories. One story attracted her in particular: the isolated zoo in Qalqilya, a small town in the West Bank, which is totally enclosed by the separation wall.
Other observations on living conditions are photographed
in the different areas Astrid encountered. Even on the Israeli side is a
strong contrast between Jewish Israelis, new Eastern European emigrants
and the Palestinian population.
Jaffa (Oranges or what?)
Jaffa is beautiful, so I was told, romantic and really old. So when I arrived
I expected to see the flavour of its Palestinian history. Indeed, the first
impression after I got out of the car in at night matched my expectations:
warm air coming from the sea, the scent of a hookah across the pavement
and the bustling atmosphere at Jaffa’s centre near the clock tower. Promising,
I thought...
Journey to Nepal 2005
Commissioned by the charity organisation ROKPA International
Astrid spend one month in Kathmandu’s Tibetan Quarter.
Working with ROKPA included documenting the soup-kitchen and medical services
for the countless beggars around the stupa.
Aid is only awailable during the harsh winter time and desperatly needed.
However, ROCKPA also established a children's home and a training program
for single mothers.
Fascinated by the Buddhist culture Astrid visited monasteries in Boudhanath’s neighbourhood and spend one week in a nunnery on the Sivapuri Mountain. Nagi Gompa is the second largest Buddhist nunnery and offers a interesting insight into the richness of Tibetan believes.
Other topics include a Nepalese hospital and a local school.
London Photographic Association Awards 2004
The London Photographic Association is a creative organisation
showcasing commercial and fine art photography portfolios. One of their
yearly activities is to run photography competitions throughout the year
covering the various genres of the medium.
In 2004 Astrid was chosen to be the Bronze Award winner for the category
'Beauty and Form' with her series ‘People and their favourite foods’
Image archive link: London Photographic Association
Journey to Scotland 2004
It was not the Scottish landscape that attracted Astrid to visit Dumfriesshire, it was a Tibetan Monastery, hidden in the middle of nowhere, on the rainiest spot in the UK. Kagyu Sanye Ling was founded in 1967, its name means ‘place beyond imagination’. Through Dr Akong Tulku Rinpoche’s (co-founder) vision and guidance, a magnificent temple in traditional Tibetan design was erected and opened its door in 1988. The temple and most other buildings which followed were build entirely by volunteers and funded through donations. Today the monastery is a flourishing centre preserving Tibetan Buddhism, arts, medicine and culture. Buddhist teachings of highest standards, weekend courses, retreats and special events are held throughout the year. Kagyu Samye Ling is constantly growing and the building work is still ongoing. Yet it is an oasis of peace and wisdom, aiming to benefit all beings far beyond the area where it is placed.