10 Questions with Brigitte Merz

Brigitte started taking photographs at a young age, inspired by her grandfather. In her twenties, she travelled the globe and discovered her passion for landscape and street photography, be it colour or B&W. Today, she is also experimenting with abstract approaches.
Her photography has been exhibited physically and virtually in galleries and fairs in North America, Europe, including the UK, and Asia. It has been published in international art magazines,books and has received awards.

www.bbbphotography.com | @bbbeaglebearphotography

ARTIST STATEMENT

Creating has become a drive. Photography is her way of expressing herself, her emotions, thoughts, and every fleeting feeling. Her photography is spontaneous; she wanders the streets or nature in an almost meditative state and captures what appeals to her, what moves her, in order to tell a story. Life as seen through her eyes.

Four BnW street photographs were chosen to submit for this open call. Candid shots from some impressions of the city of London. Underground Reflections, Going Underground, Rush Hour, and Night Lights are the titles. While taking the shots, her eyes, her heart, and her soul were aligned. A story is told.

INTERVIEW

First of all, can you tell us how you first became interested in photography?

I was inspired by my grandfather as a child. When he came for a holiday, he always took pictures of us. He used to show us albums of his travels, and I was fascinated. Then I received my first camera,a small Kodak, for my birthday.

How did your early experiences, including your travels, shape your artistic vision?

I have always been curious. About Life,about people,about nature. How it is here,how it is elsewhere. Curious to discover what is the same,what is different in all the countries I visited. I loved interacting with people and taking their photographs. I learnt by practising, by trial and error. I learnt to listen to my feelings; my images were, and still are, mostly spontaneous. I always had my camera with me.

What attracts you most to landscape and street photography?

I love nature,I love urban environments. It brings a great balance to my photography. In nature, it is calm, and you have time. In the city, it’s bustling, moving fast; you have to be ready to shoot at any time. But it’s all about Life everywhere. Life, which is what I am interested in. Showcasing Life as seen through my eyes.

How do you decide whether to work in colour or black and white?

It depends on the light, on my mood too, on the environment (in a city, I tend towards BnW). It depends on what,on how I want to take an image. It depends on whether I want to focus on form, contrast, and texture, and whether I want to give my work a sense of timelessness. Then I might shoot BnW. Otherwise, I go for colour.

You are now exploring abstraction. What led you in this new direction?

I was taking landscape photographs around sunset when I suddenly felt like moving. I decided to try some ICM (intentional camera movement) shots. That’s how it began. My camera was like a brush; I felt like painting. I was taken in by a great sense of freedom,so this approach opened new doors in my practice.

Can you describe what you feel while photographing concerts and live performances?

I feel excited, shooting with music gives you a rhythm. I love it. On the other hand, I have to rely entirely on my eyes to take photographs; the sound of music won’t tell me what is going on onstage. It requires a lot of presence and concentration. Thus, paradoxically, it’s even harder when I love the music!

Your statement mentions a meditative state while working. How important is emotion or intuition in your process?

It is very important,it is key for me. I would say that I am a very intuitive photographer. Spontaneity plays a crucial role in my approach to photography. When my eyes, my heart, and soul are at one, aligned, or, in other words, when I listen to my emotions, I might come up with a story to be told. A story to be shared with the viewer.

How do audiences usually respond to your photographs?

They are often surprised by my work,as if discovering something new. They also recognise my style, although my approaches are multiple.

What inspires you when starting a new photographic project?

I am inspired by Life spontaneously; the project comes alive day by day. I don’t think too much. Often, when I look at my work, a project comes to mind.

And lastly, what are your current projects, and what would you like to achieve with them in the future?

I have a few projects in mind which grow slowly over time. One is about youth,one about nature, more precisely, waterscapes. The third one is not quite ready to be defined, so I keep it open. I am always ready to go with new ideas. Thus, I will take my time and one day I will know when they are ready. The aim is to have them published and may be exhibited.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mr. Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9 Contemporary, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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