Queer Artists Reykjavík (2024)

My main project during the SÍM Residency is a part of my long-time approach „Queering documentary photography“ and aims to explore the situation of LGBTQIA+ individuals living in Reykjavik, Iceland. By combining photography with fine art techniques and my personal style, the project seeks to challenge the boundaries of documentary photography by investigating the question of authorship and participation and also shed light on the diverse experiences of queer persons in Iceland.

Iceland has made significant strides in LGBTQIA+ rights and acceptance. It was one of the first countries to legalize same-sex partnerships in 1996 and same-sex marriage in 2010. The country has robust anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQIA+ individuals, and gender identity has been recognized since 2012. However, challenges persist, including combating stereotypes, ensuring equal healthcare access, and addressing discrimination faced by transgender and intersex individuals. I am investigating the challenges and prejudices that the LGBTQIA+ community in Iceland faces, how it is for them to connect with others in a low population and how they organize themselves.

The project is fostering a sense of empowerment and community among LGBTQIA+ individuals in Reykjavik. Through active participation and engagement, also during the photographing process, the project seeks to strengthen the community from within, allowing the protagonists to share their stories and experiences authentically. By asking the question „What does being queer mean to you?“ the project explores the multifaceted nature of queer identity. Through my work, the project will capture and portray the diversity of queer experiences, avoiding stereotypes and presenting individuals with pride and dignity.

For my expected longer-term outcome the project aims to connect the queer communities in Reykjavik and Munich, Germany to build bridges.By identifying similarities and differences, my project seeks to facilitate dialogue and understanding between the two communities, fostering a more global perspective on queer experiences.

You can find all portraits with text at the bottom of the page or on my instagram.

Clear Memories (2024)

Alongside my portraits project, ‚Clear Memories‘ explores the elusive nature of our memories and the means by which we can preserve them. Focused on the temporal fragility of memories, this project revolves around videos sourced from my Instastories, where life‘s fleeting mo-ments are captured. These videos are presented in a fast-forward format, showing a sense of transience. Complementing the visual journey are personal diary entries, compressing the experiences of the respective weeks I am participating in the artist residency.

The combination of speed up visuals and reflective thoughts serves as a testimonial to the evolving nature of memories, challenging conventional archiving methods. ‚Clear Memories‘ is not merely an exploration of personal experiences but a broader reflection on the human condition, probing the depths of memory‘s endurance and the transformative power it uses over time.