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Photography and Video Melanie Wiora – Portfolio
Photography and Video
Melanie Wiora – Portfolio
In my photo and video work I try to find out how images need to be made so that they go
far beyond a mere representation and offer a glimpse at their inner reality and thus to the
core of what is depicted. For me, a picture starts where the medium becomes secondary
and the picture's effect comes to the fore.
Melanie Wiora
Photography and Video
Melanie Wiora
Eyescapes – By the WindowFull HD Video, 20183.37 min
Melanie Wiora
Link to the video Eyescapes – By the Window
Mountain LakePhoto Series EyescapesLambda Print, framed83 x 129,7 cm, 2016
Melanie Wiora
Melanie Wiora
Mountain Lake IIPhoto Series EyescapesLambda Print, framed83 x 116,6 cm, 2016
Melanie Wiora
Mountain MeadowPhoto Series EyescapesLambda Print, framed83 x 118,5 cm, 2017
Melanie Wiora
WastelandPhoto Series EyescapesLambda Print, framed83 x 120 cm, 2015
Melanie Wiora
PlateauPhoto Series EyescapesLambda Print, framed83 x 101,30 cm, 2015
Melanie Wiora
Mountain ViewPhoto Series EyescapesLambda Print, framed83 x 118,3 cm, 2015
Melanie Wiora
Mountain View IIPhoto Series EyescapesLambda Print, framed83 x 118,3 cm, 2015
Melanie Wiora
DuskPhoto Series EyescapesLambda Print, framed83 x 128,5 cm, 2017
Natura XXXIIIPhotography, Diasec90 x 136 cm, 2013
Melanie Wiora
Natura XIIPhotography, Diasec120 x 181 cm, 2010
Melanie Wiora
Natura XIXPhotography, Diasec120 x 181 cm, 2011
Melanie Wiora
Natura XXIIPhotography, Diasec90 x 136 cm, 2012
Melanie Wiora
Natura XVIIPhotography, Diasec90 x 136 cm, 2011
Melanie Wiora
Natura XXPhotography, Diasec90 x 120 cm, 2011
Melanie Wiora
Natura XXIPhotography, Diasec90 x 120 cm, 2010
Melanie Wiora
Natura XXIXPhotography, Diasec120 x 181 cm, 2012
Melanie Wiora
Melanie Wiora
EruptionsFull HD Video, 4.57 minca. 225 x 400 cm, 2014
Link to the video Eruptions
EruptionsFull HD Video, 4.57 minca. 225 x 400 cm, 2014
Melanie Wiora
Link to the video Eruptions
Melanie Wiora
Rise and FallFull HD Video,10.20 minca. 300 x 400 cm, 2015
Link to the video Rise and Fall
Rise and FallFull HD Video,10.20 minca. 300 x 400 cm, 2015
Melanie Wiora
Link to the video Rise and Fall
TurmoilFull HD Video, 6.10 minca. 225 x 400 cm, 2018
Melanie Wiora
Link to the video Turmoil
TurmoilFull HD Video, 6.10 minca. 225 x 400 cm, 2018
Melanie Wiora
Link to the video Turmoil
In my photo and video work I try to find out how images need to be made so that they go far beyond a mere representation and offer a glimpse at their innerreality and thus to the core of what is depicted. For me, a picture starts where the medium becomes secondary and the picture's effect comes to the fore.
Photo series and video Eyescapes
In my photo series Eyescapes I photograph landscapes mirrored on my own eyes. With the camera on my eye, I take the pictures in the moment of perception.Being refracted on the lens of my eye, the images are distorted and changed in their spaciality. On the upper edge of the picture the eyelids and eyelashesenter the scene and open the image space.
These fragments of the body relate to individual segments of the landscape, thus allowing the images to become insights into and outlooks on a changedworld. The landscapes appear familiar and yet the context is so vague that one wants to recall other lanscapes from their memory.
Recently I developed a technique to also film the reflections on my eye. My new video work Eyescapes – By the Window focuses on the interaction betweeneye and world. The eye moves around slowly and in rapid saccades focussing on certain objects, sometimes interrupted by spontaneous eyeblinks. The pupilvividly adjusts to the light conditions, opens up or closes giving personal insights into the beholder as well as into the specific location. By watching the video theviewer witnesses what I have seen before. The eye itself becomes the window into the world.
Photo series Natura
The pictures in my photo series Natura lead directly into the natural world. The view sweeps over vast landscapes, macrocosms and microcosms, which appearto be hovering between aggregate states. It makes the viewer want to look at the pictures more closely. Nevertheless, it remains difficult to tell what state natureis being depicted in, whether we are dealing with fog, water, rock or ice, and where the sky begins and where the earth ends.
In the pictures of the Natura series I disclose what is inherent in the landscapes. They reflect the nature and essence of the scene: the nature of nature.
Video works Eruptions, Rise and Fall and Turmoil
The video works emerged from my photo series Natura. They show a mud volcano (Eruptions), a geyser (Rise and Fall) and a swelling mountain river (Turmoil).They create a choreography of merged structures and forms. The extreme slow motion highlights the powerful forces of the water and its continuing ability to change.
Watching the floor-to-ceiling installations, the viewer can observe the smallest details and changes in nature that last only a few seconds in real time. He isplunged into a rough and yet fascinating aspect of nature.
In all three series of artwork the viewer's gaze is encouraged to familiarize itself with the new and unknown, always looking for that special moment of recognition.
Melanie Wiora
Artist Statement
Melanie Wiora
Biography
Lives and works in Cologne, Germany
Study2001–2002 Research Studies and Postgraduate in Media Art, Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe, Germany
1997 Master of Creative Arts Programme, University of Wollongong and studies in Sydney, Australia
1990–1996 Studied Visual Art at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste Karlsruhe, Germany
Awards & Grants2017 Nomination, Gabriele Münter Prize
2015 Art-Regio project grant, SparkassenVersicherung
2013 Photo Award “Sehen im Fokus”, Stiftung Auge
2012 Scholarship “Künstlerhaus Lukas”, Ahrenshoop
2005/06 DAAD Grant, London, UK
2004 First Prize, Digital New Art Award, DigitalART
2004 Grant of the Foundation Künstlerdorf Schöppingen
2003 DAAD Grant, New York, USA
2002 Second Prize, “Saar Ferngas Förderpreis Junge Kunst”
1998, 2001 Studio Grant of the Federal State Baden-Württemberg
Solo Exhibitions (Selection)2019 “The View”, Städtische Galerie Lemgo
2015 “Travelling Beyond”, Kunstverein Eislingen (cat.)
2014 “Melanie Wiora – Natura, Eva Weinert – Saal”, Städtische Galerie Kaarst
2013 “Natura”, Kunstverein Paderborn e.V.
2012 “Fokus auf den Augenblick”, Brötzinger Art e.V., Pforzheim
2011 “Natura”, Hohenloher Kunstverein, Künzelsau
2010 “Natura & Eyescapes”, Galerie Christa Burger, Munich
2010 “Eyescapes & Natura”, Kunstverein Ingolstadt (cat.)
2010 “Außen ist in mir”, Künstlerhaus Saar, Saarbrücken
2008 “Eyescapes”, Kunstforum Rheinhessen, Essenheimer Kunstverein
2007 “Außen ist in mir”, Junge Kunst e.V., Wolfsburg (cat.)
2007 “Transitions – Das Andere der Wirklichkeit”, Fotoforum West, Innsbruck, Austria
2006 “Außen ist in mir”, Brotfabrik Galerie Berlin (cat.)
2006 “Close Up – Im Angesicht des Augenblicks”, Kunstverein Trier
2005 “Über den Moment hinaus”, Hospitalhof, Stuttgart (cat.)
2005 “Personal Reflections”, Goethe-Institute Casablanca, Morocco
2005 “Melanie Wiora – Photography and Video”, Goethe-Institute Damascus, Syria
2005 “Reality and what I see”, Galerie Andreas Greulich, Frankfurt
2003 “Close Horizon”, Kunstverein Speyer (cat.)
2003 “Facing Space – Reflecting Time”, Galerie am Großneumarkt, Hamburg
2002 “Eyescapes”, Reihe Junge Fotografie, Stadthaus Ulm
2002 “Was bleibt”, Glashaus Karlsruhe
Group Exhibitions (Selection)2019 “Bare Landscape”, Städtische Galerie Waldkraiburg (cat.)
2018 “Outlook – Insight. The Window in Art”, Museum Sinclair Haus, Bad Homburg (cat.)
2017 “Gabriele Münter Prize”, Akademie der Künste Berlin und Frauenmuseum Bonn (cat.)
2016 “Alles im Fluss”, Up-Art Galerie, Neustadt an der Weinstraße
2013 “Große Kunstausstellung NRW”, Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf (cat.)
2012 “Im Schein des Unendlichen. Romantik und Gegenwart”, Altana Kulturstiftung, Bad Homburg (cat.)
2012 “Stille Zeichen”, Kunstverein Villa Streccius, Landau (cat.)
2011 “False Focus”, Nest, Den Haag, The Netherlands (cat.)
2011 “The Marginal Landscape”, 7th Biennale of Photography, Poznan, Poland (cat.)
2009 “Manipulating Reality”, Centro di Cultura Contemporanea Strozzina Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, Italy (cat.)
2009 “Failed Hope – New Romanticism in Contemporary Photography in Germany”, Brno, Czech Republic
2008 “Gescheiterte Hoffnung. Romantik heute?”, Gerisch-Stiftung, Neumünster
2007 “Failed Hope”, Goetz Palace, Photomonth Krakow, Poland (cat.)
2007 “Ego – Fotografische Positionen zum Ich”, Wiesbadener Fototage (cat.)
2006 “Quer – Fotos für die Pressefreiheit”, Photokina, with Reporter ohne Grenzen (cat.)
2005 “In den Raum gedacht”, Kunsthaus Essen (cat.)
2005 “Große Kunstausstellung NRW”, Messe Düsseldorf (cat.)
2004 “Plug Out”, Digital New Art Award, Dominikanerkloster, Frankfurt (cat.)
2004 “Luft-Stücke und Stadt-Teile”, Kunstverein Villa Streccius, Landau
2004 “Große Kunstausstellung München”, Haus der Kunst, Munich (cat.)
2004 “Halbzeitkonferenz”, Galerie am Großneumarkt, Hamburg
2003 “Fotosommer”, 14-1 Galerie, Stuttgart
2003 “Saar-Ferngas-Förderpreis Junge Kunst”, Kunstverein Trier
2002 “Digitale Bildwelten”, Kunstpreis Kreissparkasse Recklinghausen (cat.)
2002 “Saar-Ferngas-Förderpreis Junge Kunst”, Wilhelm-Hack-Museum, Ludwigshafen (cat.)
2001 “Spinball”, Württembergischer Kunstverein, Stuttgart
2000 “Doppelzimmer”, Orgelfabrik und Glashaus, Karlsruhe
Public CollectionsSammlung Heden, The Netherlands
Stiftung Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, Germany
Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Regierungspräsidium Karlsruhe, Germany
Stadt Karlsruhe, Germany
University of Wollongong, Australia
Bibliography (Selection)2019 “Bloße Landschaft”, Ausstellungskatalog, Städtische Galerie Waldkraiburg (Hg.)
2017 “Große Kunstausstellung NRW”, Verein zur Veranstaltung von Kunstausstellungen e.V. (editor),
Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, Germany
2017 “Gabriele Münter Preis 2017”, catalog, Frauenmuseum Bonn (editor), Bonn, Germany
2015 “Melanie Wiora – Travelling Beyond”, catalog, Kottmann, Paul (editor), Kunstverein Eislingen, Germany
2013 “Bildverbote: Transparenz und Verantwortung”, Leimbacher, Mario (editor), Verband der
Lehrerinnen und Lehrer für Bildnerische Gestaltung Schweiz, Swiss
2012 Padberg, Martina: “Romantische Positionsbestimmungen in der Gegenwart”, in Im Schein des Unendlichen.
Romantik und Gegenwart, Janssen, Johannes, Padberg, Martina (editors), Wienand Verlag, Cologne, Germany
2012 Herold, Inge: “Melanie Wiora”, in Stille Zeichen, Kunstverein Villa Streccius, Landau, Germany
2011 “Margins”, Karolina Sikorska (editor), 7th Biennale of Photography Poznan, Poland
2011 “False Focus”, van der Lingen, Eelco (editor), Nest, Den Haag, The Netherlands
2010 Sachsse, Rolf: “Natura Medians – Wilde Wasser in Melanie Wioras Werk”, in Melanie Wiora – Natura,
Kreim, Isabella (editor), Revolver Publishing, Berlin, Germany
2009 Nori, Franzisca; Feser, Christiane: “Melanie Wiora – Eyescapes”, in Manipulating Reality -
How Images redefine the World, Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, Italy
2009 Michalowska, Marianna: “Narration of desire – new romanticism in new German photography”,
Institute of Art History, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
2007 Domesle, Andrea: “Von der Suche nach dem Wesentlichen eines Porträts” (“On the Search for the
Essence of a Portrait”), in Melanie Wiora – Außen ist in mir, Kehrer Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany
2007 Domesle, Andrea: “Failed Hope – New Romanticism in Contemporary Photography in
Germany”, in Cichocka, Marta Eloy (editor): Miesciac Fotografii W Krakowie, Krakow, Poland
(Photomonth Krakow), Foundation for Visual Arts, Krakow, Poland
2007 EGO – Fotografische Positionen zum Ich, Fototage Wiesbaden, Germany
2006 Peschke, Marc: “Melanie Wiora – Personal Reflections” in QUER – Fotos für die Pressefreiheit,
Reporter ohne Grenzen, taz Verlag Berlin, Germany
2005 Peschke, Marc: “Sie sehen viel mehr als wir sehen, über die Portraits von Melanie Wiora”
in PHOTONEWS, art magazin, issue 10/2005, Germany
2005 Müller, Helmut A.: “Fotografie gegen die Entropie” (“Photography against Entropy”),
in Melanie Wiora – Beyond the Moment, Edition Hospitalhof Stuttgart, Germany
2005 Sachsse, Rolf: “Wimpernschlag und Nachbild” (“Bat of the Eyelash and Afterimage”),
in Melanie Wiora – Beyond the Moment, Edition Hospitalhof Stuttgart, Germany
2005 Spiegel, Josef (editor): Melanie Wiora – Personal Reflections, Stiftung Künstlerdorf Schöppingen, Germany
2004 Schneider, Carola: “Wenn Künstler/innen mit dem Raum arbeiten”,
in Schneider, Carola (editor): In den Raum gedacht, Edition Kunsthaus Essen, Germany
2004 Härtl-Kasulke, Claudia: “The Award Comments” in Plug Out – Digital New Art Award,
DigitalART, Frankfurt, Germany
2003 Junghans, Martina: “Die Welt im Auge” (The World in an Eye), in Dudenhöffer, Franz (editor):
Melanie Wiora – Eyescapes, Verlag Bild & Kunst, Germany
2002 Höfchen, Heinz: “For your Eyes only, zu den Fotografien von Melanie Wiora”, in Kiefer, Theresia
(editor): Melanie Wiora, Saar Ferngas Förderpreis Junge Kunst, Germany
2001 Glüher, Gerhard: “Die Welt als digitale Konstruktion” in Peters, Andrea (editor):
Kunstpreis digitale Bildwelten, Kreissparkasse Recklinghausen, Germany
Melanie Wiora
