In the realm of contemporary photography, Felix Schoeppner stands out as a conceptual artist who challenges the boundaries between art and everyday life. His work, marked by meticulous construction and a deep exploration of themes like labor, technology, and perception, offers a unique perspective on the future of work and the human condition. This article delves into Schoeppner's creative process, his fascination with scientific concepts, and the personal journey that led him to create thought-provoking images that blur the lines between object, model, and representation.
A Unique Origin Story
Felix Schoeppner's journey into photography is an intriguing one, beginning with a borrowed camera and a skateboarding session. Growing up near Frankfurt, the son of two architects, he was exposed to art and culture from an early age, which sparked his interest in the medium. Despite initially considering architecture as a career, a Nikon D40 and a growing fascination with photography steered him towards a different path. He studied Communication Design, assisted renowned photographers, and developed a strong technical foundation, particularly in lighting and precision.
The Shift to Still Life
However, it was a series of personal events that led Schoeppner to explore still life photography. In 2017, he was diagnosed with cancer, which forced him to withdraw from his documentary project, 'Artificial Landscapes'. During his recovery, he attended a workshop at RAY Fotografieprojekte Frankfurt, led by Arno Rafael Minkkinen. This experience marked a turning point, as he discovered the therapeutic potential of still life photography, which allowed him to explore conceptual thinking and personal experiences.
Cognition and Beyond
His series 'Cognition' marked the public arrival of this new direction. It features everyday materials, familiar objects, and scientific reference points, arranged in ways that challenge the viewer's perception. The solar system image in this series, for instance, took three days to create. Schoeppner's work is characterized by a tension between recognition and uncertainty, where images might feel accessible at first but resist a clear reading upon closer inspection.
Handle with Care: A New Direction
Now, Schoeppner is completing his Master's in Visual Communication at the Bauhaus University in Weimar, with his graduation project, 'Handle with Care', pushing the boundaries of his practice further. This project examines the relationship between work, technology, and control, particularly in the context of labor and automation. It explores how people become inventive when trying to avoid tasks they don't want to engage with, and how they develop tools and systems to distance themselves from work.
The Technical Process
Schoeppner's technical process is a blend of precision and intentional imperfection. He builds models and sets that can exist independently of the photograph, using materials like chipboard and aluminum profiles. His lighting approach has evolved, with some objects containing built-in light sources, creating a sense of a constructed environment. He uses focus stacking for tools and a shallow depth of field for spatial ambiguity in mouse movers.
The Future of Work and Control
'Handle with Care' also reflects on the broader implications of automation and AI. The project features 'mouse movers', devices designed to simulate user activity on a computer, keeping systems running while the person is absent. These devices, constructed from everyday materials, showcase the ingenuity of people in finding creative solutions to avoid tasks. The project questions the relevance of the traditional model of exchanging time for money and explores the potential of output- or efficiency-based systems.
Personal Interpretation and Commentary
In my opinion, Schoeppner's work is a powerful commentary on the future of work and the human condition. His exploration of labor, technology, and control offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between humans and machines. The use of everyday materials and scientific concepts in his images challenges the viewer to reconsider their assumptions about the nature of work and the role of technology in our lives. From my perspective, Schoeppner's work is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition in the age of automation and AI, and a powerful reminder of the importance of creativity and ingenuity in the face of technological change.
