‘Made in Vietnam’ at New Space Arts Foundation, 20.11 – 30.11.13

Announcement: my artist residency in Hue, Central Vietnam, is finally bearing fruits... The preparations for the final exhibition is well on its way.

Venue: New Space Arts Foundation, Upstairs Gallery, 15 Le Loi, City of Hue, Vietnam
Opening Times: Daily, 08.00am – 7.00pm

Private View: Friday, 22.11.13, 5.00pm - 7.00pm 

The whole project is about the celebration of food: I have photographed various types of typical Asian ingredients and printed these images onto object such as plates and stools. Together they will be displayed as a resemblance of Vietnamese dishes.  When it comes to eating, the senses of taste, smell, touch and sight are very closely linked and after visiting this exhibition, perhaps you will look at food differently thereafter...

In the second part of the exhibition I would like to acknowledge those who are directly involved in food production such as small scale farming, fishing and producing of local delicacies, I took a series of portraits in rural areas around Hue (see previous blog).

The aim of this project is to explore the unknown and to stimulate the viewer’s senses. When it comes to eating, taste, smell, touch and sight are very closely linked and after visiting this exhibition, perhaps you will look at food differently thereafter...

For those, who cannot be with me in Vietnam on Friday, 22th November, here are some preview links:
Fruit bowl: http://www.astridschulz.com/fruit/
Farmers: http://www.astridschulz.com/farmers/ 
Hands on: http://www.astridschulz.com/hands/

Please also look at the exhibition space: http://www.astridschulz.com/leloi/

Project: 'Food in Vietnam', Artist Residency, 01.10 – 30.11.13

Having been invited by the New Space Arts Foundation (NSAF) in Hue, Central Vietnam, I am currently working in an Artist Residency and slowly making progress with a series of images on 'food production'. 

NSAF is run by twin brothers Thanh & Hai, who are bringing together national and international artist in order to exchange work practices across all fields of creative expressions. 

My time in Hue started on 1st October and I am working towards an exhibition, which opens on 20 November 2013. The exhibition will feature a series of portraits, featuring people who are physically involved with growing or producing Vietnamese food including fishing or life stock keeping (example on the left: 'peanut farmer').

We often forget how labor intensive it is to produce what we eat. Especially in the Western world the connection between food and nature seems to get lost. Therefore I visited small-scale farmers and family run production businesses and took portraits of people with their products in order to reestablish a relationship with the origin of food provisions.

Link for viewing a selection of the images: 'Made in Vietnam - Farmers'

‘Over the Hill’ at Haslemere Educational Museum, 07.09 – 05.10.13

Once again, the image ‘Wanted: Tim Andrews’ is back on the wall, this time as part of a group show in Haslemere. Tim, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, had the urge to turn himself into an art object. In the meantime he has been photographed by over 250 photographers (including Rankin, Harry Borden, Vanessa Winship & Jillian Edelstein). My contribution to this innovating compilation is depicting Tim's love for acting, cinema visits and his childhood dream of becoming a cowboy...

Venue: Haslemere Educational Museum, 78 High Street, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2LA

Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday, 10.00am – 5.00pm

Private View: Friday, 06.09.13, 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Links and directions to Haslemere Educational Museum


Please also read Tim’s blog about the project Over The Hill

‘London Independent Photographers‘ - The Sixth Greenwich Annuale Exhibition, 08.08 – 22.08.13

Already in its 6th year, the members of the Greenwich group of LIP are showcasing their work at Greenwich Gallery.



Astrid is contributing with her image ‘Cleaning Up (the economy)’, an image that is inspired by the painting ‘American Gothic’ (created in the 1930’s during the worlds last big recession).
 


Venue: The Greenwich Gallery 
Linear House
Peyton Place, London SE10 8RS
 

Opening times: Monday to Friday: 9am - 5.30pm and
Saturday to Sunday: 12pm - 4pm

The private view is open for all and takes place on 8th August 2013 from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.



‘Sunken Garden’, Costume Design for a 3D Film / Opera, 12.04 – 20.04.13

Back into costume design and very proud in having been involved in an occult mystery film-opera, Astrid would like to introduce an exciting and brand new collaboration by Dutch composer Michel van der Aa and libretto by best-selling author David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas). 

 
The world premiere of the ‘Sunken Garden’ is taking opera to a new level. The show is a combination between life performance, 2D documentary style film inserts and a 3D film backdrop throughout the 2nd half of the opera. On stage, performers (Roderick Williams, Katherine Manley & Claron McFadden) skillfully interact with the 3D screen action, which features additional singers (Jonathan McGovern and Kate Miller Heidke).  

Performances take place at the Barbican from Friday, 12 April to Saturday, 20 April. Afterwards the show will be traveling to Amsterdam’s Holland Festival in June 2013 (already sold out) and in June 2014 the opera will be staged at the Toronto Luminato Festival. Further shows are planed for Spring 2015 at Opera de Lyon.

Pictures of the performance and stills from the film inserts can be seen at the link below:
http://www.astridschulz.com/sunken-garden/

‘fLIP Magazine' no 23, Spring Issue 2013

fLIP is an independent magazine, which is published three times per year by the London Independent Photographers (LIP). The magazine is the official voice of LIP, which has over 600 members and it aims to support, inspire and inform its readers by featuring members' photographic work with articles that are engaging and entertaining. 



The current issue, no 23, which carries the title 'Closer', is featuring a series of Astrid's images called 'Hello Stranger'. The images were purposely taken for the magazine and inspired by a movie, which is also called ‘Closer’ (2004 with Natalie Portman as Alice).


fLIP is available at various stockists across London, including the Tate Modern Bookshop, National Portrait, Serpentine Gallery Bookshop, Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop and many more. For further information please click here. 

London Photographers Association 'Let's Face It': award winning picture

It gives me great pleasure to announce that the image ‘Cleaning Up’ has just been judged as Highly Commended by the London Photographers Association. The LPA is running its portraiture competition Let's Face It for the 9th time, and Astrid has already been honored in other LPA competitions in previous years.

All winners and finalists can be seen at the link below:
http://www.london-photographic-association.com/

About the image: ‘Cleaning Up (the economy)’ is inspired by the painting ‘American Gothic’, created in the 1930’s during the worlds last big recession. All clothing in the photograph has been created out of cleaning cloth.

'Journey through Viet Nam': On Thypoons and Rubbish Collections

In November 2012 Astrid Schulz accompanied two different Non-Government Organizations* (NGO) to rural areas of Viet Nam and documented people's living circumstances. During this insightful journey, reports and risk assessment have been written and success stories documented after aid has been received. Both NGO’s are mainly interested in encouraging individuals in finding solutions for themselves and give support, advice and micro loans to ease their problems.

Viet Nam is currently emerging as one of Asia’s powerful countries, which brings not only social and economic changes, but also many challenges. Like many other countries in this region, Viet Nam is experiencing an increase of climate change issues such as rising seawater. According to the historical disaster database, provinces like Quang Binh and Binh Dinh in Central Vietnam have an average 2.5 disasters per year, usually flash floods caused by heavy rainfall and destruction trough typhoons.

Another problem is caused by the influx of consumerism, which is leading to uncontrolled waste treatment and consequently pollution of the environment. Even though the government has begun to recognize these problems, a lot of help is generated by various NGOs.

*The organizations Astrid was commissioned by are 'Challenge to Change' and 'ENDA Viet Nam'. 

'Magical CHRISTMAS and a Prosperous NEW YEAR', 01.01 - 31.12.13

We are almost there: a New Year is approaching. Having said that, this year was actually quite fantastic. For me many exciting things happened in 2012, including the Olympic games of course… But let's not have our memories and enthusiasm get in the way... 2013 will be just as good, if not better.

With an angel by my side (from my last photo shoot this year) I hope that all our wishes come true. Just speak them into existence...

‘The Magic Man’ - A Photography Exhibition at Davenports, 08.10 - 30.11.12

Who is he, that Magic Man? Will he be able to help us with enchanting our lives - or does he need help to entangle his own? If you would like to know a typical day-to-day scenario in the life of a bewitched magician, then come to Davenports Magic Shop and view his tricks through the window.
 


'The Magic Man' is a joined photography project by Philip Philmar and Astrid Schulz, commissioned by Bill Roy from Davenports. The images of wired and wonderful magical moments can be seen Monday to Saturdays, from early morning to 9pm.

We would love you to join us on our opening reception on Tuesday, 16 October 2012, from 6pm - 8.30pm
. Be prepared for surprises!!!

Venue: Lewis Davenport Magic, 7 Charing Cross Underground Arcade at Exit 9, The Strand, London, WC2N 4HZ


Davenports is a magic shop, supplying everything around magic tricks that a real magician desires. You will find magic DVDs, magic tricks, magic books, magic courses and even a magic theatre. The company was established in 1898 by Lewis Davenport, which makes it the oldest magic family business in the world!!!

Attention: Davenports is hidden in the Underground tunnels of Charing Cross tube station. Don’t get lost, call 020 7836 0408 for directions.


‘London Independent Photography’s 24th Annual Exhibition’: 16 - 28.10.12

As every year, LIP is celebrating outstanding photography of their members in a gallery near the Stand, in the heart of London.

Astrid is contributing with her image ‘Cleaning Up (the economy)’, an image that is inspired by the painting ‘American Gothic’ (created in the 1930’s during the worlds last big recession). ‘Cleaning Up’ is going to be part of a projection in the gallery during the show.

Venue: The Strand Gallery (Proud Central)
32 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6BP

Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 11am - 6pm

The member's private view takes place on 16th October 2012 (6.00pm - 9.00pm)

More information about the image  ‘Cleaning Up’ will be published soon.

'Perfect Storms' - The Varian Disaster: TV Documentary

 
The Battle of the Toutoburg Forest, also called the 'Varian Disaster' took place in 9 CE. This battle, which was lost by the Romans, probably changed history in Europe forever as the Romans were to make no more attempts to conquer and permanently hold Germania beyond the river thereafter.

Now, 2000 years later, the battle has raised interest again and was topic of major exhibitions in Germany as well as TV reconstructions.

Astrid was lucky to have been commissioned to work on a documentary by a Canadian TV company, which came to the UK for a documentary series. The battle was performed by UK re-enactors, playing Roman soldiers or Iron Age warriors (stills from the film: www.astridschulz.com/varian/).

This series of portraits was made in the forest after the battle and can be seen on Astrid's web portfolio (www.astridschulz.com/warriors).

‘Light-Headed’ Photography Exhibition from 08.10 – 03.11.12

Gallery320 will be presenting a photography group show in participation of London’s PHOTOMONTH festival (October - November 2012)



Opening party: Thursday, 11.10.12, 6pm – 9.30pm



Opening times: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm
CLOSED: Thursdays & Sundays

Venue: Gallery320

320 Bethnal Green Road (entrance via Voss Street), Bethnal Green, London E2 0AG



Astrid’s chosen images for this show is from the series ‘Holi’. It was taken during the Holi festival in 2010 at the Hare Krishna temple in Hertfortshire, UK. Roopen, the young man in the picture, was one out of many Hindu worshipers, who came into Astrid’s makeshift studio during the festival to have his portrait taken. More images from this series can be seen at Astrid’s web portfolio


'(Re)Generation': CUBO in MIlan, Italia, 20.07.12 - 23.07.12

CUBO has invited London photographers, video makers and conceptual artists, to help creating this show as vibrant and stimulating as possible. Astrid is proud to be part of this event with several images from 'Food keeps Body and Soul together'.

CUBO is a beautiful cultural gathering spot in the centre of Milan, which is owned by Italy's Ministry of Culture & Arts. Their project (Re)Generation is announced to be the first step into a new cultural movement that will finally lead to regeneration of this centre.

The opening party takes place on Friday, 20.07.12

The Venue: CUBO - via Moscova, 2820100 Milano, Italia

About ‘Food keeps Body & Soul together’: In this series of portraits Astrid is bringing together her passion for food and her career as a costume designer. Before each image concept was developed, most of the sitters were asked about their favourite food. In other pictures the edible item is telling the viewer something about the sitter’s pastime. The resulting images are humorous, bold and distinctive.
 

'London Village Project': LIP Gallery Exhibition, 30.07.12 – 26.08.12

--> For the course of a year over 200 members of the London Independent Photography group worked on the ‘London Village Project’. The goal was to create a body of work that is identifiable as a unique contribution to the record of London with its multiplicity of communities, its miscellany of histories, its medley of architecture, its boundaries real and imagined, its current creation, its reference to memory...

The project is now completed and will be exhibited, published in a book and presented at the BBC Big Screen (details tbc)

Exhibition venue: Goldsmiths College, 
New Academic Building - exhibition area, 
New Cross, London, SE14 6NW
 
The opening party takes place on Thursday, 02.08.12, 6pm - 8.30pm
 
Astrid’s contribution to the project is called ‘The Wedding Pubs’ and is depicting the events of the Royal Wedding on 29 April 2011. Instead of joining the spectators in the streets, Astrid took her camera into 28 pubs or ‘public houses’ in the borough of Westminster and followed the celebration on various TV screens.

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'Over the Hill': A Photographic Journey in Southport, 01.05 - 15.05.12

Thanks to Tim Andrews' determination to raise awareness for Parkinson's disease, the group show ‘Over the Hill’ is back on again. This time the exhibition is moving to Southport and ‘Wanted’ (the image on the right) is once again amongst the chosen 54 prints.

Tim, who is a sufferer of Parkinson’s, turned himself into an art object and by now he has been photographed by over 180 photographers (including Rankin, Harry Borden, Vanessa Winship, Jillian Edelstein, just to name a few). With this project he got featured at the BBC Culture Show and the Guardian Weekend Magazine in February 2011.

Venue: Wayfarers Shopping Arcade, Lord Street,
Southport, PR8 1NT
Opening hours: Mondays - Saturdays, 9am - 5.30pm
and Sundays 10am - 5pm. Admission is free

View a video of the event and the featured photographs.

For more information on Tim’s project read 'Over the Hill' or if you wish to support Parkinson's UK by making a donation, please log on to TIMANDREWSOVERTHEHILLSOUTHPORT

‘Clowns international’ 66th Annual Service, 05.02.2012

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Clowns International is the oldest established organisation for Clowns in the World. It was founded in 1946 as a social club for all types of performing Clowns. Its aims include the furthering of the art of clowning, maintaining its history and promoting the art of good clowning throughout the world.

A highlight of Clowns International's calendar is the Joseph Grimaldi Memorial Service; annually held on the first Sunday of February at Holy Trinity, the Clowns Church at Beechwood Road in East London.

Astrid had the pleasure of being invited to photograph the clowns throughout the event. Alas, the night before the service it snowed – and many clowns have been prevented to travel to the event due to bad weather conditions. Nonetheless, the few who made it to East London that day where most entertaining and charming characters...

To honour of the memory of Joseph Grimaldi and all the other clowns please click here.

Astrid just wants to say 'Happy Christmas and a well-lit New Year'!

Do you also wonder where has the time has gone? For some of us the year 2011 has been quite a roller-coaster. Nonetheless, I hope you are – like myself – positively excited to explore what 2012 will bring!


With a Christmas Angel by my side (this is Claire from my last photo session in 2011) I grant a wish to everyone who believes in magic!


But for now I would like to take the opportunity to wish you a great time over the Christmas holidays. Let's add some fun whilst having another cup of tea and perhaps a mince pie: find out what happened 'when Santa came to get his picture taken'

Click and enjoy!!!

'Brighton Photo Fringe Open '11': 19.11 – 18.12.11

Astrid has a new announcement about her ‘Hairdressers’ project: the series has been selected to be written about as part of the Brighton Photo Fringe Open '11 texts project. The articles will be part of the Open '11 Library and will be available and online as downloadable pdfs.

The Open ‘11 events program includes artist talks,  workshops, gallery talks, screenings and projects that generate discussion about the broader context of contemporary photography. All events are part of the Brighton Photo Fringe Open '11 taking place at Phoenix Brighton between 19 November – 18 December 2011.

Opening times: Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm, and late nights every Thursday, until 9pm. All events are free, booking in advance required for some events (full events program and booking details).

‘London Independent Photography’s 23nd Annual Exhibition’: 18 - 29.10.11

Astrid is very proud to announce that four of her images from the series ‘Hairdressers’ have been selected for the LIP members show.

The LIP Annual Exhibition aims to provide a platform for members to exhibit their best work, to be viewed by each other and the general public. This time the selection process was conducted by individual professionals (Bridget Coaker, picture editor at Guardian Newspaper Group & Director of Troika Editions and Mick Williamson, head of photography at London Metropolitan University), who are connected to London's photographic community.

Venue: The Strand Gallery (Proud Central)
32 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6BP
Showtime: 18.10.11 - 29.10.11
Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 11am - 6pm

The members private view takes place on 18th October 2011 (6.30pm - 9.30pm)

‘Hairdressers’ is inspired by the novel Egalia's Daughters in which the protagonists swapped gender based roles. I am questioning our perception on what is regarded as ‘normal’ and what is ‘abnormal’. The sitters look ridiculous because we do not expect men to go through such treatments, but for women of our society this is perfectly normal. Just wondering: perhaps it’s time for men to get emancipated?