frame bg SW
frame bg SW linie2
milenarts - fortune milenarts - fortune milenarts - fortune

I found the plate with the inscription, “Jeder ist seines Glückes Schmied” (Everyone has his own fortune) at a flea market. With this plate, I photograph people in Germany and Switzerland. I do not provide any guidelines on how to understand the proverb and leave the meaning up to each individual. There is an old saying that one could interpret the meaning cynically, as well as recognize a deep, psychological truth in it.

Each photographed person freely determines the way he/she wants to be portrayed. I deliberately offer no rules or interpretation aids. The only requirement is to include the plate without damaging it.

milenarts - fortune
milenarts - fortune
milenarts - fortune
back photography
milenarts - fortune milenarts - fortune milenarts - fortune

The resulting content could seem positive and true or cynical and ironic. I'm interested in whether the interpretation of “Everyone has his own fortune” is visible in the photographs. Is the content predictable, such as stereotypical expectations of the attitude projected by a business manager compared to a homeless person? Is the subject’s attitude directly related to their material situation? Is the situation a consequence of the attitude (which would somehow confirm the proverb) or is the attitude a product of the situation? Do both develop in interaction? Do people think about it, perhaps in connection with the photo?

The series will show people in very different contexts and realities: families, school children, workers, successful business people, unemployed, homeless, people in their professions, with their hobbies, in old age homes, hospitals, artists, clergy, business owners, employees. Thus, the project depicts the diversity of our society, and has a journalistic and investigative component.

milenarts - fortune milenarts - fortune
milenarts - fortune
back to top
Home   Artwork   Installation   Photography   Painting - Mixed media   Drawing   Objects   Artist Statement   Bio - CV   Contact   Legal notice 

© Milena Kühnau 2014