Andreas Langfeld

Andreas Langfeld studied at the Folkwang University of Arts in Essen, Germany. He works in the range of artistic documentary photography. In 2016 he showed his body of work „Status“ in a solo exhibition at the Museum Ostwall / Dortmund. His work was also shown in several group exhibitions like at the „F/Stop Festival“ for photography in Leipzig, at the „Biennale für aktuelle Fotografie“, in Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg and in the Centre Pompidou, Paris.

About the project

“Encounters in a post-migrant society (which unfortunately is not able to overcome its racisms) – This could be the subtitle of the work that is going to be realized during the residency. The realities of life of people who are not read as white Germans are very different from mine as a privileged person. Photography is a tool of approach that I want to use to get to know people and engage in exchange with them. The content focus of the work is on the encounters, the conversations at the same level and on the listening. The visual focus is on portraits and descriptions of places that had an impact on the protagonists of the work. Central in the examination of the places and the city is the question of security and self-representation in urban space as empowerment. In parallel, I am interested in how the social discourse on racism is publicly negotiated in the cityscape. My attitude and the concept of this work imply a critical view on racism, repression and social inequality and at any time also a critical self-reflection in my own coming to terms with these issues. I am aware of the problematic nature of working on the topic from my privileged perspective. Being in solidarity should not mean to stop at a certain point because the confrontation might be too difficult and uncomfortable for me. The work is meant to function as input in the social discourse and seeks to counter the conditions that make us unequal. With this work I want to learn.“ (Andreas Langfeld)