Felix Schoeppner's artistic journey is a captivating exploration of the relationship between work, technology, and human ingenuity. His latest project, Handle with Care, delves into the intricate world of labor, automation, and the very essence of presence in a rapidly changing work environment. This article delves into Schoeppner's unique approach to photography, his technical process, and the deeper implications of his work.
A Journey of Conceptual Photography
Schoeppner's path to photography is an intriguing one, beginning with a borrowed camera and a skateboarding session. His background in architecture and communication design laid the foundation for a rigorous approach to conceptual photography. The shift towards still life, however, marked a significant change in his creative process. He moved away from reacting to situations to constructing them, a mindset that now defines his project initiation.
The series Cognition, showcased in exhibitions across Germany, exemplifies this new direction. It features everyday materials, scientific references, and intricate compositions that challenge the viewer's perception. The solar system image, for instance, required three days of meticulous construction, demonstrating Schoeppner's dedication to crafting visually compelling narratives.
Technical Mastery and Creative Exploration
Schoeppner's technical prowess is evident in his meticulous construction process. He transforms the studio into a workshop, where the camera becomes a tool to record decisions made during the building phase. This approach is a departure from traditional photography, emphasizing the sculptural quality of his work. His use of chipboard and aluminum profiles, along with precision tools, ensures the objects can exist independently of the photograph, adding a layer of realism and complexity.
Lighting plays a crucial role in Schoeppner's work, with a shift towards a more natural, scene-integrated approach. He experiments with precision and intentional imperfection, using focus stacking for tool details and a shallow depth of field for spatial ambiguity in mouse movers. His choice of perspective is guided by intuition, aiming to capture the distance one would naturally take when observing an object.
Handle with Care: A Reflection on Labor and Technology
The project Handle with Care delves into the relationship between work, technology, and control. Schoeppner's interest in inventive avoidance led him to explore the construction of 'mouse movers,' devices designed to simulate user activity on computers. These creations, often made from everyday materials, showcase a blend of humor and ingenuity. The project also reflects on over-engineering and optimization, translating these concepts into a visual language that oscillates between functionality and exaggeration.
The presentation of these apparatuses in shipping cases, partially unpacked, symbolizes the unstable and transitional nature of work in the age of automation and AI. Schoeppner's work challenges the viewer to consider the broader implications of labor, productivity, and the evolving relationship between humans and technology.
