9 Questions with Gudrun Latten

Gudrun Latten is a photographer and videomaker featured in Al-Tiba9 magazine ISSUE04, interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj.

Gudrun Latten discusses aesthetic problems and questions in photographs and videos, including the image and all its qualities, reality and illusion, art-historical genres, pluralism in style, the ambiguity of signs, gender, and identity issues. Gudrun’s videos are figurative art and are about abstraction, digital color, and movement, visualizing abstract content with figures. She admires Surrealism above all, while the tradition of baroque still life is also essential for her pictures.

www.saatchiart.com/latten

What kind of education or training helped you develop your skillset?

I have studied art history and history. I am a historian. When I have been a school kid myself, I have painted. I have copied pictures from art books: Renoir and Degas.

How did you start making art?

I have painted as a kid in kindergarten.

How do you discuss the aesthetic though manipulating reality and illusion? How do you successfully express this intention?

For more than two years now, I have worked with words and with pictures, and I made combinations with them. Very often, art does not work in foreign languages. I have painted about ten pictures during the last months, and I have made collages with words from commercials. Currently, I apply for an art prize with one of the photos. I have copied a picture by Ingres: It is called „The fountain“ it is a woman in this picture. And I have called her: „La Nuit.“ The woman on the image has a jar, and water comes out of it. I have put words on the water, which formulate a melody. In my picture, this water makes music with „Electric blue“. I have made a video of this work.

Where did you get your imagery from? What sources did you use?

For years I have visited exhibits, and I have many catalogs. I like to read about art, and I like to look at the pictures. Now with the internet, it is easier for me. Sometimes I make fun of other artists, but I do not mean it bad: It is harmless. I love the art of other artists, and I like to make art together with others. I have been in an artist society in Germany for many years, and they have taught me a bit. I have also worked for an artist in my hometown. I have done a bit of research about him myself.

You are also a videomaker, what does video excel at that photography does not?

Videos are better apt for some of my topics: The work with word and image combinations works better in videos. It develops in time.

Which editing software do you usually use? Do you call for new technologies in your artistic production?

I work in digital colors. And I try to take pictures of colors and light. Therefore I have used mirrors. I needed new light sources – with the LEDs, it is a bit different and better. For years I have worked Adobe Photoshop.

The most exciting/challenging project you worked for?

Well, that is a bit difficult. When I do something, I like it each time a lot. When I have worked for this Artist Klaus Heider: I have been friends with him. Unfortunately, he died years ago. I have been sad, and then I have started to make photographs/art myself.

How do you seek out opportunities?

I read many magazines, and when I think something is intriguing, then I try.

Do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations you are looking forward to?

Yes. I have much work to do since January 2020. Before I had to produce new art and this year, I will show it internationally. This interview is one of the things I am looking forward to, and Thank you very much for your help.