Anne Closuit Eisenhart is a Fine Art Photographer from Switzerland. In her words “My images are essentially still-life and landscapes, yet I would say my photography is emotional. I pick simple objects present in my house and make them talk to each other, creating tension or harmony. It works the same way with landscapes. They are usually familiar places, previously charged with emotion. I wander and suddenly something calls me, something I can relate to, something I recognize.”
Thanks, Anne Closuit, for accepting our invitation. Please read on…
Could you please give us a brief of yourself?
I was born and raised in a small town in Switzerland, surrounded by mountains. I knew early I had to raise my head to see the sky. Then I lived on hillsides, dominating the lake first in Lausanne, and then the ocean in San Francisco where I had to look down to see the water. Now I live in New York and I’m not quite sure which way to gaze.
Realizing that seeing was different from looking put me on the path of Photography. Seeing is ignoring the whole in order to look at the detail. Seeing is looking with one’s whole being. It is looking for an emotion that you are already carrying within yourself, since you have read this book, listened to this song, watched this painting. It is discovering the discreet and fragile beauty of a landscape, of an object, or a person.
The uprooting, the relocations, the “start over elsewhere” taught me to look backwards, tenderly, to cherish these manifold pasts. This has added a nostalgic twist to my photography.
How would you explain your style of photography?
My images are essentially still-life and landscapes, yet I would say my photography is emotional. I pick simple objects present in my house and make them talk to each other, creating tension or harmony.
It works the same way with landscapes. They are usually familiar places, previously charged with emotion. I wander and suddenly something calls me, something I can relate to, something I recognize.
This is precisely what I try to capture in my photographs. If that initial feeling is not present enough, I may play with light, contrasts, add dust or scratches, during the development in order to reinforce it.
What are your challenges when you do still-life photography?
I try not to establish a symbolic meaning, just a visual emotion that talks to me and may touch you. I am always working with natural light, so the first and may be most important step is to identify an interesting lighting.
And what are they with the landscapes?
To avoid their picturesque aspects. Distracting details are erased by mist, night, or speed.
Your gear?
Usually a digital Leica with old lenses, sometimes my iPhone.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Often from a beautiful light, or from a slight fog. From my memories. From exhibitions or books of art. I love Degas, Corot, Hammershoï. From photographers, Steichen, Sudek, Sarah Moon, Sally Mann, Jungjin Lee… From the poetry of Philippe Jaccottet, from Proust’s work.
How do you wish to develop your portfolio and reflect yourself in your future?
I want to continue to listen to my own voice while aware of the current trends. And I will have to cope with the concept of series even if I don’t like it.
Your vision about life and photography?
I am a very optimistic person who makes nostalgic photographs.
Any final thoughts?
I’d like to share this quote from the photographer Gregory Crewdson: “I feel very strongly that every artist has one central story to tell. The struggle is to tell and retell that story over and over again in visual form … and try to challenge that story. But at the core, that story remains the same. It’s like the defining story of who you are.”
You can find Anne Closuit Eisenhart on the Web:
Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Anne Closuit Eisenhart. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.
