Betrachtungsräume

The installation aims to explore and challenge the relationship between viewers and the portrayed individuals or artists who understand themselves as part of their art. By integrating multiple videos of my eyes into the space where my self-portraits are exhibited, viewers will get the feeling that I, as both the artist and the portrayed person, am always present in the exhibition. While they are looking at, analyzing, and perhaps judging me through my photographs, my eyes are doing the same to them. The fundamental relationship between the viewer and the portrayed person, or the artist, is broken down and reimagined. As the one-sided power dynamic of viewing is dismantled, a direct confrontation can occur. Additionally, the different portraits are placed on opposite walls, so viewers move through the space, passing by the eyes, creating a physical dynamic.

Moreover, I explore, similar to previous works, queer aspects of myself. Living as a visibly queer person is strongly associated with being looked at or even stared at, often in an unwanted manner. Through this installation, I consciously allow a voyeuristic gaze and, in exchange for this consent, I gain a form of control over how people see me—something that is typically not afforded to me in everyday life. Furthermore, I look back and place myself on equal footing with them.