Natural art
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| Cyril Schirmbeck © + courtesy Cyril Schirmbeck |
The work of an artist is always in a way the reflection of his existence. Without any doubt this is the case of the work of the German photographer and fine artist Cyril Schirmbeck. Although he was born in Frankfurt he grew up in Algeria and Morocco. As a result of those experiences we find a traveling spirit artist captivated by the world and with the impulse to capture him visually. Currently he is presenting the series Receding Worlds is intended to show which worlds man is pushing back and which irretrievable beauty he also destroys showing the gradual extinction of the human basis of life as well as that of all other living beings. From approx. 15 large-format, minimalistically presented photographs, he presents an intimate walk throught the landscapes he discovered in 2010 during a long trip through Alaska by plane, by ship or by foot. The result of this sensitive approach to our natural environment is Receding Worlds which is going to be shown in the Kühlhaus Berlin from 14th to 23rd February.
When do you realize you are in front a good photography?
To me, the quality of a photograph can lie both in its artistic composition and in its temporal composition. When either one - or even both - evoke emotions or thoughts, I would say I’m looking at a good photograph.
You were born in Germany but you grew up in Algeria and Morocco. How did these countries influence you as an artist?
Moving between places with society structures so inherently and strikingly different placed me in the position of an observer, as I never grew up embedded or at home in one coherent societal structure. Further, it encouraged me to not take any place or model of thought as given and unalterable.
You have travelled around the world with your photography. What have you learned about human condition?
While as humans, we are all wired the same way - physically and psychologically - the influence of individual political, religious and societal frameworks have an immense impact on behavior, which of curse can be positive or negative. I think in everyone lies great potential for the positive as well as the negative. Promoting freedom of thought, education and upholding a fact-based, open dialogue is now more important than ever, as the challenges we face globally are becoming more numerous.
You are currently living in Berlin. Is Berlin still the exciting city it was in the past?
I moved to Berlin roughly 12 years ago, and while it has changed dramatically since then in many ways, I would say it has still remained true to its character. When I moved here, the city was full of empty places right in the heart of the city; rents were much lower, due to the availability of space, and there was definitely room for non-established art. Nonetheless, I still find Berlin to be clearly among the most interesting cities worldwide. Art Critic Karl Scheffler wrote in 1910: ‘Berlin is condemned to constantly become, and never to be’. I think this is true up to this day.
What could you explain us about your upcoming show "Receding Worlds"?
In my upcoming show ‘Receding Worlds’ I want to highlight the primordial, powerful energy of nature, which is in a very fragile balance that we need for our survival. When I travelled to Alaska for the first time in 2010, this energy was particularly noticeable in the glaciers, and it is strikingly beautiful. My photographs aim to capture this beauty and energy, while calling attention to its fragility. I’m very happy that I was able to secure the Kühlhaus space for the show. The 550qm total area gives each large-format artwork the space it needs. With the show, of course I also want to shed light on the issue of climate change. Regarding the glaciers, it is becoming more and more critical, as the glaciers in Alaska are receding at ever-increasing rates. I will donate 20% of proceeds to Humane Society International, which do great work in protecting animals and wildlife, which are intertwined with the natural environment that we need to protect and value in order to combat climate change.
Obviously the climate change is an important reference. How is to portray a world that is going to disappear?
In short: it is painful. While I think I am more of an optimist than pessimist, observing these regions of our planet only underscored how little value humans have been giving this exceptional planet we have evolved on and still rely on to exist. Whether we are able to change these habits, remains yet to be seen. The damage that has been done and is still happening is very painful to see.
Your art is minimalist. Why this minimalist approach to the environment?
Our environment is, even on only a physical level,immensely complex. It is so complex that, to this day, we are not even close to understanding its inner workings, and in this complexity lies great beauty. As human beings, using our given set of senses, we are able to perceive only a fraction of the complexity of the world around us; we observe only a strong simplification of it. The minimal style of my photographs aims to add focus to the complexity that lies within each of these seemingly clean, uniform parts of our environment.
What does art mean to you?
To me, art is a means to reify a thought, an idea or an emotion.
What are your upcoming projects?
The continuation of my Series ‘Receding Worlds’ will remain a main focus of my artistic work. Further, I am working on a series of photographs depicting fashion models and couture in parts of our man-made environment which are purely temporary and in the process of vanishing or appearing.
Could you explain us a dream you had while sleeping?
Sure. For example, a dream I had when I was around 14 years old: standing on a random street and suddenly being pulled upwards into the air by a force of some kind. I think it expressed a feeling of loss of traction which I sometimes had as a kid, when often moving between very different places. In the end, I think that this displacement led to something very positive, as it encouraged me to to look for traction in my own actions rather than my surroundings.
An interview by Juan Carlos Romero
Photo by Cyril Schirmbeck
© + courtesy Cyril Schirmbeck
A selection from the series Receding Worlds available here
For further information please visit www.cyrilschirmbeck.com
All rights reserved
To me, the quality of a photograph can lie both in its artistic composition and in its temporal composition. When either one - or even both - evoke emotions or thoughts, I would say I’m looking at a good photograph.
You were born in Germany but you grew up in Algeria and Morocco. How did these countries influence you as an artist?
Moving between places with society structures so inherently and strikingly different placed me in the position of an observer, as I never grew up embedded or at home in one coherent societal structure. Further, it encouraged me to not take any place or model of thought as given and unalterable.
You have travelled around the world with your photography. What have you learned about human condition?
While as humans, we are all wired the same way - physically and psychologically - the influence of individual political, religious and societal frameworks have an immense impact on behavior, which of curse can be positive or negative. I think in everyone lies great potential for the positive as well as the negative. Promoting freedom of thought, education and upholding a fact-based, open dialogue is now more important than ever, as the challenges we face globally are becoming more numerous.
You are currently living in Berlin. Is Berlin still the exciting city it was in the past?
I moved to Berlin roughly 12 years ago, and while it has changed dramatically since then in many ways, I would say it has still remained true to its character. When I moved here, the city was full of empty places right in the heart of the city; rents were much lower, due to the availability of space, and there was definitely room for non-established art. Nonetheless, I still find Berlin to be clearly among the most interesting cities worldwide. Art Critic Karl Scheffler wrote in 1910: ‘Berlin is condemned to constantly become, and never to be’. I think this is true up to this day.
What could you explain us about your upcoming show "Receding Worlds"?
In my upcoming show ‘Receding Worlds’ I want to highlight the primordial, powerful energy of nature, which is in a very fragile balance that we need for our survival. When I travelled to Alaska for the first time in 2010, this energy was particularly noticeable in the glaciers, and it is strikingly beautiful. My photographs aim to capture this beauty and energy, while calling attention to its fragility. I’m very happy that I was able to secure the Kühlhaus space for the show. The 550qm total area gives each large-format artwork the space it needs. With the show, of course I also want to shed light on the issue of climate change. Regarding the glaciers, it is becoming more and more critical, as the glaciers in Alaska are receding at ever-increasing rates. I will donate 20% of proceeds to Humane Society International, which do great work in protecting animals and wildlife, which are intertwined with the natural environment that we need to protect and value in order to combat climate change.
Obviously the climate change is an important reference. How is to portray a world that is going to disappear?
In short: it is painful. While I think I am more of an optimist than pessimist, observing these regions of our planet only underscored how little value humans have been giving this exceptional planet we have evolved on and still rely on to exist. Whether we are able to change these habits, remains yet to be seen. The damage that has been done and is still happening is very painful to see.
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| Cyril Schirmbeck Crevasses 02 2019 © + courtesy Cyril Schirmbeck |
Your art is minimalist. Why this minimalist approach to the environment?
Our environment is, even on only a physical level,immensely complex. It is so complex that, to this day, we are not even close to understanding its inner workings, and in this complexity lies great beauty. As human beings, using our given set of senses, we are able to perceive only a fraction of the complexity of the world around us; we observe only a strong simplification of it. The minimal style of my photographs aims to add focus to the complexity that lies within each of these seemingly clean, uniform parts of our environment.
What does art mean to you?
To me, art is a means to reify a thought, an idea or an emotion.
What are your upcoming projects?
The continuation of my Series ‘Receding Worlds’ will remain a main focus of my artistic work. Further, I am working on a series of photographs depicting fashion models and couture in parts of our man-made environment which are purely temporary and in the process of vanishing or appearing.
Could you explain us a dream you had while sleeping?
Sure. For example, a dream I had when I was around 14 years old: standing on a random street and suddenly being pulled upwards into the air by a force of some kind. I think it expressed a feeling of loss of traction which I sometimes had as a kid, when often moving between very different places. In the end, I think that this displacement led to something very positive, as it encouraged me to to look for traction in my own actions rather than my surroundings.
An interview by Juan Carlos Romero
Photo by Cyril Schirmbeck
© + courtesy Cyril Schirmbeck
A selection from the series Receding Worlds available here
For further information please visit www.cyrilschirmbeck.com
All rights reserved