ALEXANDER IN BERLIN

PHOTOGRAPH: CEZARY ZACHAREW

Hello I am Alexander, newly resident in the grand old city of Berlin where I am making my new record, and simultaneously taking the opportunity to report for Out There on all the cultural goings on here in this fabled metropolis. I will be posting something every two weeks or so and hope you enjoy this little trip with me into the European demi-monde. All aboard! www.thisisalexander.com

 

It was my pleasure to attend the private view of German photographer Iwajla Klinke’s Ritual Memories at STYX Gallery in Berlin this week. I spoke briefly with the artist herself, she seemed delighted if a little overwhelmed with the reception her first solo show in Germany was receiving. For your reading pleasure I present to you the transcript of our chat, and recommend that you take a little time to google the prolific and mysterious photographer further and spend a little time in her beautiful world.

 

Alexander: This is your first solo show in Berlin, how are you feeling? Excited?
Iwajla Klinke: I think it’s more, I don’t know!

 

A: It’s overwhelming?
I: Yes!

 

A: Where have you previously shown your work? In which other countries have you put up solo shows?
I: Tel Aviv in Israel, Poznan in Poland.

 

A: And how many pictures do you have in the show?
I: 20 or 30,

 

A: All taken in the last two years?
I: In the last year?

 

A: And so how often do you take a picture?
I: Once or twice a week.

 

A: And what was it that made you want to be a photographer more than anything else? More than a ballet dancer?
I: That’s a good question. It’s about language, photography gives you a sort of triumph, when you don’t have any language it’s just about you and the other person. It sounds stupid but you get rid of language.

 

A: Yes, all of your pictures are very intimate, nearly all of the subjects are nude or at least shirtless, then decorated with these fantastical pieces and head dresses that you make, right? You find dead animals and lace and decorate the subjects.
I: It’s more like a ritual or ceremony, it’s a lot more personal.

 

A: And you’re pleased with how it turns out? Are these your favorite photographs or the ones that work best together?
I: It was choosing those that fit best together, that work together, it’s hard, I had two weeks!

 

A: I’m wearing black because Liz Taylor died today.
I: Yeah!

 

A: Are you cheering because you’re happy about that?
I: No of course not! She’s dead and now and so is Joan Crawford.

 

A: Today is Joan Crawford’s birthday too. Who would you have liked to have photograph who you no longer can? Not Joan, not Liz.
I: I got the chance to photograph Wanda Jackson, and I was really, really honored.

 

A:  But she’s still alive. Who is there who is dead whom you would have liked to photograph? Napoleon?
I: Napoleon, for sure, maybe Edward VI.

 

A: And you’re wearing a Napoleon pin on your shirt too I see.
I: Yes I bought it at his grave.

 

A: And isn’t true that you stole a potato that someone had left on the grave of Frederich the Great?
I: Yes!

 

A: You must be very busy, what with the photographs and all the grave robbing!
I: Yes it’s true, but this is how it is!

 

A: And who is there still living whom you want to photograph?
I: That’s hard, I have to think about it. Who is alive?

 

A: A lot of people you photograph you already know, or you see them in the street and think, “That’s who I want to shoot.” It’s very natural, no?
I: It’s not people I think I would like to photograph, I have to see a person and fall in love. There are these old women in the US in country and rockabilly, like Wanda Jackson and Brenda Lee.

 

A: Could you imagine doing a series like that then? The women of rock’n’roll? Is that your next step.
I: Maybe…..           

 

A: And how long does this show run?
I: Until April 20^th ,the birthday of Hitler.

 

A: Did you chose that date deliberately?!?
I: No! But we will have a finissage and we will celebrate on the twentieth of April.

 

A: See you there lover!

See more of Iwajla Klinke’s work

Ritual Memories runs until 20/4 at STYX Galleries, Landsberger Allee 54, 10249 Berlin. Open Fridays to Sundays 3–5 pm or by appointment.