Between Kate Robertson (Australia) and Peter Nitsch (Germany)
There has been much written on the changing role and definition of photography since the introduction of digital forms and proliferation of images. Increasingly, a considerable amount of these writings discuss the new worlds in which the photographic artist has to now navigate and contribute within.
Over the last few months I’ve reflected on the more positive aspects of image saturation, specifically on the Internet. I’ve come to realise the escalation of images has enabled me the opportunity to connect into and network within the global photographic community. As a photographic artist living in Australia, this is vital since I live far outside the more established photographic hubs of Europe and America.
Social media platforms, blogs and online journals have opened up relentless opportunities to explore, engage and discuss photography. New peers from around the world have been formed and friends have been made. Most surprisingly though has been an international art swap.
In 2012 photographs of mine were featured in the online journal Unless You Will. Not long after German photographer Peter Nitsch emailed to congratulate me on the photographic series. From this point forward we have kept in regular email contact, sought photographic advice from each other and have just completed an art swap, refer to below pictures.
Some time ago via Skype, Peter and I spoke for the first time. With the art swap in its final stages of completion, we both agreed the abundance of images on the Internet has led us to more connection and interaction within the global photographic community.
Most importantly, the art swap highlighted our ongoing appreciation for the materiality of photography. The photographic paper quality and surface, inks / darkroom chemicals, the final size of photograph - it all forms how we view a photograph as both image and object.
Below is an outline on our art swap.
Hey Kate,
I'm ‘collecting’ photographs and sometimes I exchange art prints (framed/unframed - depends) with colleagues whose work I like. Would you be interested in exchanging a ‘real’ one with me? I would love to have one of your ‘cosmic walk’ in my collection and you could choose any print (lambda print in roughly 50x80 cm) of mine you like?
Peter
(email sent 14 August 2013)
Peter,
Yes, I would love to! I’m really interested in how the Internet connects artists across the world and how artwork is swapped and sold without even seeing it in 'real life'.
Kate
(email sent 20 August 2013)
Peter’s photograph from the series Function Follows Form
Kate’s photograph Cosmic Walk study 4, solarised silver gelatin photogram with toner, 2013
Peter’s artwork ready for posting to Melbourne, Australia
(photograph emailed to Kate 16 September 2013)
Kate’s artwork ready for posting to Munich, Germany
(photograph emailed to Peter 30 September 2013)
Kate’s photograph framed, Munich, Germany
(photograph emailed to Kate 11 November 2013)
Peter’s photograph framed, Melbourne, Australia
(photograph emailed to Peter 13 December 2013)
For more information on Peter: www.peternitsch.com