'Playing Cards', new creative project at Flaxon Ptootch

With joy and anticipation, I started a new series: for the coming weeks I will be working on a set of playing cards - based on real life observations and modern ways of communication...

My creative partners are Michael Phootch, owner of the legendary hair saloon and gallery Flaxon Phootch, his hair styling colleague Sophia Eltayeb and the wonderful make-up artist  Mary Ellen Lamb.

Almost all models are clients and friends from the fan club of the hair saloon, demonstrating the skill set of Michael (King of Kentish Town, see picture) and Sophia. However, we are still short of one king... Any brave takers?

Watch this space!!! There will be an exhibition in December, just in time before Christmas. Pop in and see for yourself: this is not just a hair saloon!!!

Further announcements will follow shortly.

‘Light-Headed’ 2014, Photography Exhibition from 02.10 – 31.10.14



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

Opening party: Thursday, 02.10.14, 6pm - 9pm
Gallery opening times: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm
Closed on Thursdays and Sundays

Venue: Gallery320 at 320 Bethnal Green road Entrance via Voss Street),
Bethnal Green, London E2 0AG

Astrid's chosen image for the show is called 'Cleaning Up (the Economy)'. The photograph is inspired by the painting 'American Gothic', created in the 1930's during the worlds last big recession. All clothing in the picture has been created out of cleaning cloth.


‘London Independent Photographers‘ - The Seventh Greenwich Annual Exhibition, 04.08 – 17.08.14


As every year, the members of the Greenwich group of LIP are showcasing their work at Greenwich Gallery.

This year I am showing one of my images from my work in Vietnam’, which was created during a 2month residency. The image is depicting ‘Sam, the peanut farmer’.  However, there are more images from that series which I would love to show. In case you know of a venue, please get in touch… Here are the images from ‘Farmers’ (Made in Vietnam).

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

Opening times: Monday to Friday: 9am - 5.30pm and
Saturday to Sunday: 1pm - 5pm

The private view is open for all and takes place on Saturday, 4th August 2014 from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

The series ‘Farmers' has been created in honour of micro food production households and features people who are physically involved in growing or producing food from their homes and gardens. We often forget how labour 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 re-establish a relationship with the origin of food provisions. The series will be continued in Hanoi from October 2014 and in Senegal from January to March 2015.

'Fitzrovia Journal' Issue No.2 Launch Party, 03.07.14

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce a new magazine? This is actually issue no.2 already, but it only appeared on the readers table this year and is distributed only in Fitzrovia.

 I also wish to announce, that the magazine was holding three of my photo essays, including the cover picture of Ezra Axelrod, a young and critically-acclaimed American singer-songwriter.

 My other two stories are about Mathew Sturgis, an author, historian and biographer, and Jason Morell, an actor, who has recently been acclaimed to be the director of the 'Dylan Thomas' festival in Fitzrovia, scheduled for October.

 The launch event of issue no.2 (‘Modernity’) is happening at:
Venue: 'Rebecca Hossack Gallery', 2A Conway Street, 
London W1T 6BA
Time: Thursday, 3 July, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

 Fitzrovia Journal will return in October with issue no. 3, which runs under the topic of ‘Creativity’. You will find more of my essays in there, watch this space...

London Photographers Association ‘Lets Face It’ Competition

Announcement: the series ‘Farmers’ has been awarded as Highly Commended by the London Photographers Association. The LPA is running its portraiture competition Let's Face It for the 10th time, and Astrid has already been honored in other LPA competitions in previous years.

The series can be seen at:http://www.astridschulz.com/farmers/

About the images: ‘Farmers' (from ‘Made in Vietnam’) has been created during a 2month residency at New Space Art Foundation in Hue, Central Vietnam. During the residency Astrid was exploring the subject of food. The series ‘Farmers’ has been created honor of micro food production households and features people who are physically involved in growing or producing food from their homes and gardens. Astrid wishes to support the values of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which declared the International Year of Family Farming 2014.

'Hairdresses' at Flaxon Ptootch Salon, 08.05 - 10.06.14

For the first time the series 'Hairdressers' will go on show as a set. All twelve will be hanging for one month inside the funky hair saloon Flaxon Ptootch in Kentish Town. The project itself is a collaboration between Astrid and hair & make-up artist Konnie Daniel, who worked wonders on the hair of 12 guys (click here for 'Hairdressers')

Venue: Flaxon Ptootch, 237 Kentish Town Rd, Kentish Town, London NW5 2JT
Opening Times: Mo, Thurs & Fri: 10.30am – 7.00pm
 / Wed: 10.30 to late / Sat: early to 7.00pm / Tuesday & Sunday: closed
Private View: Thursday, 08.05.14, 7.00pm - 10.00pm

‘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 amusing 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? Tell me your opinion after you've visited that hair saloon...

'fFIP Magazine' no 27, Spring Issue 2014


The latest issue of fLIP magazine carries the title 'Connections' and is featuring yet another one of Astrid’s stories. After a talk in front of the London Independent Photographers group, Astrid got invited to write a feature story about her experiences in Vietnam during her residency, with focus on her book commission in Ho Chi Minh City.
Click here to read the full story.

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 about the magazine click here.

'TP. Ho Chi Minh Mega City' Book publishing, February 2014


During my time in Vietnam I had a commission for a photo book in Ho Chi Minh City (by Michael Waibel & Hilbert Henning). In only seven days I photographed between 30-40 individual people and families in their homes or at work and asked them about their relationship to HCMC. The outcome is forming one chapter in this book, which otherwise documents the developments of the vibrant economic metropolis and biggest city in Vietnam.

For my chapter I wanted to take a closer look behind the facade and explore how people use their personal space. This gave me the opportunity to gather a fascinating insight into homes and workplaces from rich to poor, from younger to older generations and from migrants to those who lived here all their lives and helped to shape this city.

The book is published by 'Times Publishing House' and its ISBN No is: 978-604-936-338-2

My personal collection of the images can be seen at: www.astridschulz.com/hcmc/


The launch event will take place in Hanoi on 19 February at 6pm (venue: Goethe Institute Hanoi, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Hanoi, Vietnam). Click here for information.
A second event will be held in HCMC on 23 February at 10am (venue: Salon Van Hoa Cà Phé Thu Bay Lau 1, 19b Pham Ngoc Thach, District 3, HCMC).

'fLIP Magazine' no 26, Winter 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 26, which carries the title 'Character', is featuring four images from Astrid's 'Hairdressers' series. The project was a collaboration between Astrid and hair&make up artist Konnie Daniel, who worked wonders on the hair of 12 guys (click here for 'Hairdressers').


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 about fLIP magazine please click here.

'Haidressers' will be exhibited in May 2014. Information about the venue and the opening event will be anounced shortly...

'Made in Vietnam' - Official Invitation and Opening Event, 07.12.13


This time in Hanoi:
Please join us on 07th December at 6pm to celebrate the second show of 'Made in Vietnam'.

This time it will be a very different experience: rather experimental, to say the least. In case you know anyone in Hanoi, please send them to Zone 9 into 9A4 M Studio, Block A, Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam.

The show will be open daily until 14th December 2013. 

Photos from the venue: www.astridschulz.com/zone9/

‘Made in Vietnam’ at Zone 9, Hanoi, 07.12 – 14.12.13

Proud announcement: my work is coming from Hue to Hanoi! I got invited to by the Vietnamese artist Phương Vũ Mạnh to exhibit 'Made in Vietnam' in his studio space, which is located in Hanoi's most creative hotspot.

Zone 9 has been an abandoned factory – until last year, when it was discovered by some artist and transformed one of the coolest places in town. By now Zone 9 accommodates bars, cafes, fashion shops, restaurants, studios and it is still growing. Some people already compare it to some Art Zones in New York, London or Berlin…

Many people from the creative industries decided to move in, including Phương Vũ Mạnh, who opened up his studio / exhibition space in Block A.

More information will follow shortly...

Venue: 9A4 M Studio, Block A,  Zone 9, Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Opening Times: tbc

Private View: Saturday, 07.12 13, from 6pm - 8.30pm

‘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

Sunken Garden (3D Multi Media Opera)

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'.