Gerhard Clausing

Bodyscapes

My body is a universe unto itself and a reflection of the larger universe as well. It has many locations and shapes, some obvious, some hidden, some large, some small, and some so miniscule that they require extreme magnification. As I survey my body’s territory, I discover many surprises, as well as changes over time – elevations and depressions, hillsides and valleys, lonely growths of hair, wild meadows of a temporary beard, and much more – a fascinating expedition that encourages self-appreciation and allows me to continue to marvel at our fleeting existence and, indeed, at nature itself. As the temporary and permanent etchings of time on my body continue, so does my personal and photographic self-assessment.

 

Headscapes

As time goes by, I observe my many moods, and I also make an effort to record them in a variety of unusual headshots. These moods run the gamut from elation all the way to anger or sadness. With a variety of settings, props, and equipment  (water, glass, mirrors, cameras, scanners), I attempt to depict these moods and the expressions that accompany them in expressive visualizations. I call these portraits headscapes, since I believe that my body is part of the universe and reflects it in the shapes and scapes that these changes present and represent. My hope is that the viewer will also share some of this self-analysis that is in my images.

 

Fleeting Moments

Our lives are tiny moments in time, less than a blip on the radar screen of eternity. Wouldn’t it make sense to stretch these moments, instead of freezing them into a split second, as photography has mostly done until now? This would make these moments last just a little bit longer. For this project, I have been photographing life using longer exposure times, resulting in images that are  graphic records of stretches of time. These images show life as it unfolds, moments of  human activity as it progresses, the joy of life itself. Can you recognize yourself in them?

 

Unselfscapes

These self-images present anatomically ambiguous formations. Symmetry has always been a measure of beauty, yet here harmless human body parts, such as a hand or a foot, are transformed into unusual and sometimes grotesque “scapes” and shapes, transporting the viewer to a world of fantasy. While evoking unexpected associations, these images can be attractive and repulsive at the same time, and are meant to challenge our preconceived notions concerning human appearance, and our tendency to attribute salaciousness where none may be present.