© Falk von Traubenberg, from the series interform portraits, 2011
The spectrum of Falk von Traubenbergs work – despite its diverse manifestations – is based on one common denominator: In all of his works, he deals with the individual, animates the viewer to reflect on the visible and the hidden, on surfaces and substance, on the constant and the ephemeral. A basic catalyst of his work is the question about the perception of one’s own internal images, and thereby, the question about the perception of truth. In his works, the artist creates screens for the internal images of each viewer to become visible, platforms for them to unfold on. Prerequisites for this personal and highly individual face-off to work out is the willingness of the viewer to open up, allowing these screens to conjure up unique internal images – along with connected memories, hopes, goals and dreams – and to let them come alive internally.
Fundament and staring points of his works are – with one exception – images of various types, small and medium format slides, single digital images and films. Depending on the concept and the objective of the works, these photographs have either been taken by Falk von Traubenberg himself, or they have been left to him specifically for further processing.
© Falk von Traubenberg
In one part of his work, Falk von Traubenberg creates projection planes for memory and imagination. He accomplishes this by systematically not allowing the content of the slides to be viewed. The artist often conserves the slides in culinary conservation jars – symbols for the careful safe-keeping of something valuable for later use. Because the slides are tightly stacked inside the jars, the viewer is prompted to develop own images of what might be on them, leading to ever more questions and imagined images. Simultaneously, Falk von Traubenberg preserves under all conditions the dignity of the portrayed, or, as in cube I, that of the photographer who created the slides.
© Falk von Traubenberg
In another part of his work, Falk von Traubenberg connects existing places with himself and his life. He invites to changes of perspectives in various ways. His unsparing self-portraits fathom new digital image spaces, which reveal the riddles of the origins of creative processes inherent in digital machines. The playful connection of his person with known and unknown places, quotidian activities and magic moments challenge the viewer to either dive into thoughts or to just enjoy.
© Falk von Traubenberg