AURA

Two artists approach the essence of human existence through the medium of photography. Their works capture more than just a stark representation. They delve into the intense observation of contexts, memories, and the conditions of human existence, creating pieces that are both documentary in nature and deeply emotional.

In her photo series "Sleeping Sister," Karen Stuke has created haunting self-portraits. She largely withdraws as a photographer from the creative process. The "Camera obscura," or pinhole camera, takes on the role of the tireless observer as the artist lays down to sleep. The resulting long exposure not only reveals the overlapping positions of the sleeping figure but also captures the surrounding ambiance, as the photographs are always taken while traveling. Thus, the viewer becomes a voyeur in a dual sense. They watch a person sleeping while simultaneously reconstructing the living environment and the varied furnishings of the scattered bedrooms around the globe. Occasionally, other figures or actions appear faintly in the prints, raising questions about nocturnal activities. This series, which began in 2001, continues to evolve.

Kei Takemura presents her work "Meeting Point 4," created in 2009. It tells the story of two women the Japanese artist encountered in Dresden. There, she visited her friend, dancer Y.A., a member of the Forsythe Company. From her intense observation of their daily lives, a kind of scenic portrait emerged. It also documents a moment when the dancer performed for Kei Takemura and her newborn child, reminding the artist of the Japanese goddess of dance, Amenouzume. A second, chance encounter layered this intense impression. The artist met an anonymous elderly woman on the street. The woman's posture and movement, which the artist captured in photographs, reminded her of her grandmother, who had recently passed away. The deep emotional bond she felt for the deceased was transferred onto the woman from Dresden, ultimately weaving together the different images into a multifaceted tableau of personal and culturally shaped memories.