What do I see, what do you see? From what different perspectives do we view the world and act within it? What is visible, what remains invisible, when it comes to talents, needs, and desires – or to privileges, access, and barriers? In February, young people participating in a voluntary social year in the cultural sector explored new perspectives, from the smallest detail to the narrative of broader contexts, using photographic and filmic means.
Images influence how we perceive the world. Beauty ideals on Instagram and automatic filters on cameras shape our understanding of authenticity and staging. Recurring image motifs and aesthetics contribute to the development of prejudices and perpetuate stereotypes. What does looking beyond the surface reveal? What value do originality and individual perspectives hold in the face of countless repetitive images, such as those found on Instagram? These and other questions were explored in film and photographic works within the seminar "I Spy with My Little Eye," conducted in three parallel workshop groups. Film, Analog black and white photography and Digital photography.
Film
The result is four very different films, each offering a different perspective. All were conceived, produced, and edited by the participants themselves, either as group or individual projects. They were filmed with digital SLR cameras and edited using the free software DaVinci Resolve. The films can be viewed on Vimeo.
Analog black and white photography
After exchanging ideas and discussing the topic and conceptual concepts, the participants developed their own photographic projects, which they implemented using analog cameras. They were limited to a single roll of film with 36 exposures. All films and photographs were developed in-house. The group then conceived and realized an exhibition. Photographs of the exhibition can be viewed on Flickr.
Digital photography
Following introductory exercises exploring new perspectives and storytelling possibilities through photography, the participants conceived photo series, traveling to various locations in Berlin. Through the selection and arrangement of photographs, they curated their individual and group works, as well as the overall exhibition. Some of these can be viewed on Flickr.
Impressions from the seminar
Featured image: From the series „New Vision“ by Julika and Mara
The seminar was a collaboration with the State Association for Cultural Education Berlin.
It was funded by the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family
