Tag Archives: Steffen Holzkamp

Eugene Environmental Film Festival (15 – 24th April 2022)

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Szene aus ‘An Infinte Scream’ / Still from ‘An Infinite Scream’

Ich freue mich, das der Dokumentarfilm ‘An Infinite Scream’ über meine Land Art Arbeiten in Namibia beim Eugene Environmental Film Festival gezeigt wird.

Die Filme des hybriden Festivals können online aus der ganzen Welt oder auch vor Ort gesehen werden. Falls du den Film von Steffen Holzkamp noch nicht gesehen hast, oder noch einmal gucken willst, ist dies nun eine perfekte Gelegenheit.

Hier kommst du zu unserem Film: https://eugevoff.org/an-infinite-scream/

Der Film wird in Englisch gezeigt.

(Wenn du den Film lieber in Deutsch sehen willst, dann kann ich dir einen privaten Link während dieser Zeit schicken. Bitte schicke mir dazu deine Email Adresse.)

ENGLISH:
I am happy to announce that our documentary film ‘An Infinite Scream’ about my Land Art Project in Namibia, will be screened as part of the Eugene Environmental Film Festival ( 15-24 April 2022). The hybrid festival allows the films to be seen online from all over the world, as well as in person at the Broadway Metro, Eugene.

In case you have not seen this great documentary film by Steffen Holzkamp yet, or it you like to see it again, this is a perfect opportunity to do so!

This link  takes you to the film. The film will be screened in English.

Von der Webpage vom/ from the webpage of the
Eugene Environmental Film Festival:

“In partnership with The Center for Environmental Futures Emerald Earth Film Festival, we are hosting a hybrid festival!!

April 15th to April 24th, 2022!

Join us for an exploration of our commitment to each other and the environment. Journey and be witness to diverse cultures, traditions, species, beauty, adventure, ecosystems, sustainable practices, and resistance efforts to protect our planet. Envision a world that honors and celebrates voices, perspectives, experiences, and indigenous ways of knowing from around the world

April 15-April 22 films online – free & accessible to a global audience
April 22-April 24 in-person Broadway Metro, Eugene OR http://www.broadwaymetro.com“

Szene aus ‘An Infinte Scream’ / Still from ‘An Infinite Scream’

Frauen Silhouetten – Gedenkort Waldbaulager KZ, Neubrandenburg

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Public artwork by Imke Rust (commissioned)

Three of eight female silhouettes at the Waldbaulager Gedenkort

(Deutsch weiter unten)

Last year I have been commissioned by the RAA Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to create a public artwork to commemorate the plight of women who have been incarcerated in the Waldbau KZ satellite camp, close to Neubrandenburg.

This secret, underground camp has been established by the Nazi regime in 1943 to support production for the armaments industry. About 2000 female prisoners were stationed here and used as forced labour. The living conditions have been described as inhumane and horrible, and many women have died.

When I researched the history of this place, one small detail grabbed my attention: several combs or pieces of combs were found hidden here.  Ex-prisoners who described the conditions, shared, that they were not allowed to have combs in these camps. Being found with a comb could be punished with death. The women secretly made their own combs out of leftovers from the production materials and these were shared amongst them. Unfortunately the self-made combs were not helpful against the fleas – the big problem in the unhealthy living conditions. One lady was able to smuggle in a fine comb and one had to pay half a ration of bread for the use of this comb.

This story of the combs made me aware that the women, despite all their suffering, still had the will to try and create ways to make their lives a little better. Through my art I wanted to restore some of their dignity and also commemorate their strength. It was also important that visitors could relate to these women as fellow human beings on a very personal level.

Therefore my eight life-sized female figures, which have been installed in small groups at different places in the forest, seem to dissolve on one side into the shape of a broken comb.

The women stand proud and strong, while at the same time they fade into the background and are only clearly visible from a certain angle. Making us aware that history can be forgotten quickly, if we make no effort to remember.

A short documentary video by Steffen Holzkamp (2:17min, German with English subtitles)

Visitors at the first public event – I love how the “historic women” stand silently amongst the guests:

Some more impressions:

Deutsch:

Zur Installation der Frauen-Silhouetten am Gedenkort Waldbau

Die wenigen Fundstücke, die direkt auf die Frauen deuten, bestehen aus Resten von Kämmen. Durch die Kämme, die eingeschmuggelt oder vor Ort heimlich aus Produktionsmaterial hergestellt und versteckt werden mussten, haben die Frauen sich ein klein wenig ihrer Würde zurückerobert.

Mit dem Kunstwerk möchte ich den Frauen symbolisch die Achtung zukommen lassen,die sie damals nicht bekamen. Mein Wunsch ist es ihnen ein positives Andenken zu setzen, an dem man aber auch das durchgemachte Leid erkennt.

Angelehnt an die Fundstücke der oft zerbrochenen Kämme, die sich heute im Regionalmuseum befinden, stellen meine abstrakten Frauensilhouetteneine Verbindung zwischen Frauenkörper und Kamm her.

Diese etwa lebensgroßen, abstrakten Silhouetten erinnern an einfach erkennbare, weibliche (Ur)Figuren. Sie sind wie ein Kamm flach gehalten. Die Auflösung der Figur in die Zähne der Kämme deutet auf die Vergänglichkeit, das Leid und auch unsere verblichene Erinnerung an diese Frauen und ihr Schicksal hin.

Als erste Installation die am Waldbau Gedenkort errichtet wird sollen die Silhouetten neugierig machen und auch schon auf die Geschichte des Ortes hindeuten.

Weitere Information zu dem Ort finden sie HIER.

When days become long and lonely – Free Film

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Wenn die Tage lang und einsam werden – Land Art Film gucken (Deutsch weiter unten)

SubRosa by Imke Rust – Film Still

The times are crazy and many people around the world are asked to stay at home and avoid social contact. So we thought the time is perfect to finally make our documentary film An Infinite Scream freely accessible to everyone via the Internet.

Also, because the documentary and the artworks have a strong and inspiring message of encouragement to find ways of becoming actively involved in creating the changes we want to see.

And, the good part is that it is available in English and in German! 

You are welcome to share the link and we would love to hear your thoughts once you have watched it.

Please take care and stay healthy!

English:

Concerned about the ever-increasing uranium mining in Namibia a local artist sets out to give the Namib Desert a voice: An Infinite Scream

Thousands of thorns arranged into traps in the blistering desert heat? Black rubbish bag roses planted between dunes or half a ton of salt poured into six huge circles?

Imke Rust’s land art installations not only show her concern about the extent of exploitation and pollution happening in the Namib Desert. They are also an attempt to symbolically protect the land and raising awareness about the effects of the ever-growing uranium mining industry.

Can art be an invocation for change?

Shot in 2012 in Namibia and Berlin, Holzkamp’s approach is determined by the nature and pace of Rust’s artworks. Meditative sequences documenting the making of the “Salt Circles” are followed by reportage style filming of the “The Scream”, an art action at the Atlantic coast.

When the local arts association unexpectedly rejects Rust’s exhibition, the film takes a dramaturgical turn and shifts the focus to the ensuing controversy about freedom of arts in Namibia. The well-known artist, with the help of a network of supporters, now finds alternative ways to ensure her works will be seen.

Strong imagery, breath-taking locations and atmospheric music weave the film into an impressive portrait of courage and initiative in a rather conservative society.

Filming on location in Namibia was supported in part by the National Arts Council of Namibia.

Title: An Infinite Scream
Documentary
English/German
45min
2012-13Produced on location in Namibia and Berlin.

Director & Producer: Steffen Holzkamp Filmmaker and musician based in Berlin.

Stills from the film.

Wenn die Tage lang und einsam werden…

Die Zeiten sind verrückt und viele Leute überall in der Welt sollen Zuhause bleiben und soziale Kontakte vermeiden. Also dachten wir uns, es ist die perfekte Zeit unseren Dokumentarfilm ‚An Infinite Scream’ für alle frei zugänglich im Internet zu veröffentlichen.

Auch weil der Film und die Kunst eine starke, inspirierende Botschaft haben, die uns ermutigt die Veränderungen die wir gerne in der Welt sehen wollen, aktiv und kreativ selbst mit zu gestalten.

Den Film gibt es in English (Original) und Deutsch (Overvoice).

Der Link kann gerne geteilt werden und wir freuen uns natürlich wenn ihr eure Gedanken zu dem Film mit uns teilt.

Bitte pass dich auf und bleib gesund!

Deutsch:

Ein Dokumentar Film von Steffen Holzkamp

Synopsis:

In der prallen Wüstensonne über 1000 Weißdornen zu Kreisen legen? Schwarze Müllsackrosen in die Sanddünen pflanzen? Oder eine halbe Tonne Salz zu einer begehbaren Skulptur formen?

Die Landart Installationen der Namibischen Künstlerin Imke Rust folgen einem immanenten Anliegen: Der Sorge über den zunehmenden Uranabbau in Namibia und der Verschandelung der Wüste. Ihre Kunstwerke sorgen für Aufmerksamkeit, verstehen sich aber auch als ein symbolischer Schutz für das geschundene Land.

Kann Kunst etwas bewirken? Was kann ich tun? Mit diesen Fragen beschäftigt sich Imke Rust auf eindringliche Weise.

In 2012 in Namibia und Berlin gedreht, spiegelt der Film die teils meditative Stimmung der Entstehung von Rust’s Landart. Ruhige Einstellungen bei der Installation der „Salt Circles“ oder reportagige Handkamera bei der Videoperformance „The Scream“ auf der Seebrücke am Atlankik: Schnitt und Montage folgen dem Tempo der Kunst.

Die Absage der gebuchten Rust-Ausstellung seitens der Kunstvereinigung bringt dem Film eine dramaturgische Wendung und verlagert den Schwerpunkt hin zu einer gesellschaftlichen und medialen Kontroverse über die „Freiheit der Kunst“ in Namibia.

So organisiert sich die bekannte Künstlerin mit Hilfe durch ein Netzwerk von Unterstützern ihre Ausstellung einfach selbst.

Starke Bilder an atemberaubenden Orten, sowie Illustrationen und Musik verdichten den Film zu einem eindrucksvollen Statement für Courage und Eigeninitiative im eher konservativen Namibia.

Die Filmarbeit in Namibia wurde teilweise vom National Arts Council of Namibia unterstützt.
Originaltitel: An Infinite Scream
Trailer: aninfinitescream.wordpress.com
Produktionsland: Namibia / Deutschland
Produktionsjahr: 2012 – 2013
Erscheinungsjahr: 2013
Spieldauer: 45 Minuten
Genre: Kunst/Kultur/Musik & Portrait
Regie & Kamera: Steffen Holzkamp / ONEXA-AV

Lost City (Site-responsive artwork at the Rössing Mountain)

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Lost City (Site-Responsive artwork)

Start where you are and with what you have…

I love to go out and create art with only the things the site offeres to me. No special tools, no extra material – just responding to the site and conditions I find.

When we went to explore the barren Rössing mountain I found some building rubble. To my surprise it even had some colour on it… And so this work was created with the generous and unexpected colourful offerings of the Rössing mountain.

It was really hot, as usual, in the desert. The pieces of rubble were rough, heavy and hot. And many were full of sand, which needed to be removed to show the colour. At several times I thought “Ok, that’s it, that’s enough… I am done, let’s go rather home.”.

I should have brought some gloves… – somehow I never do, and if I do, I hate wearing them. And we should have come here closer to the sun-setting, when it has cooled down – I am not sure why I forgot about this essential point?

In the end there were more and more colourful pieces which I just had to add. My hands were blistered ands scratched, but I was happy and grateful for these fragments of colour in an otherwise pretty desolate surrounding.

Here is a short video, where you can see it all happening:

And once again, I cannot tell you how cool it is that my husband enjoys joining me in my art outings and filming the process. Now that he also owns a small drone, there is another cool perspective in his short videos. This one is a bit longer (2:50min) but the landscape is so breathtaking and unique, that I think you will not mind watching it till the end. His video work and audio is a beautiful artwork in its own right.

Between all the rubble I found one piece of broken, delicate china. Although it did not really fit with the rest, I just had to give it a space in this abstract city.

I hope you enjoy these images and the video as much as I do!

Sand Stone Shadow Waves (Namib Desert)

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We have spent some time in Namibia and worked on some creative projects. It was lovely to be back in the desert. The desert feels like home to me. There is a special connection, which I just cannot put into words.

This is one of the first works I created in the Namib desert, in the dune belt south of Swakopmund.

Fortunatley my husband loves to join me in the desert and with my creative projects. He enjoys to document my process, and then editing it into beautiful little artvideos and composing the music for it. These videos bring a new dimension to my work. It also shows the beautiful landscape in a new perspective and puts my work in scale and relation to the surroundings.

Some more images:

Creative Encounters

And while working I had a lovely and curious visitor. This little guy hopped along very closely as I collected the stones without a sign of fear. He seemed to just enjoy the activity and maybe the company. I thought of offering him some water in the shade which the car gave (the only shade wide and far). He accepted and some time later another little friend came to join him. I just love these unexpected moments of deep connection with nature.

  • Bird checking out my creative experiments.
  • Two birds in the desert enjoying my water offering.
  • Let’s first check the ingredients…

Floating Energy Video

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I am so excited and grateful!

My talented husband, Steffen Holzkamp, has once again created a video to document my latest site-specific nature art installation. A big thank you also goes to Hans-Peter Wollmann, who has kindly provided us with his video material to use in combination with mine.

In this short video clip (1:49min) you can the ‘making-of’ and get an impression of the artwork itself.

But – it is still much better to experience it in person! If you can, please go and visit it.

I got so much wonderful feedback from the visitors while I was working there and even afterwards. All saying what a lovely surprise it was for them when they first noticed it on their walk through the forest. And then as they came closer and realised how long it was, how it was winding its way down the hill and crossing two paths, they got even more excited. It brought them so much joy, they said.

For those of you, who cannot go and visit the forest and my installation yourself, this video gives an impression, adding to the photographs in my previous post.

Enjoy! And do let me know in the comments what you think. I would appreciate it.

Heute im Deutschen Hörfunk in Namibia…

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Once again apologies to my English followers, as I am now posting an interview in German, which we had today in the German Radio in Namibia.

Heute waren Steffen und ich beim Deutschen Hörfunk der Namibian Broadcasting Cooperation (NBC) und wurden im Auftakt zu der Namibia Premiere unseres Filmes von Ralf Boll interviewt.

Wer es ‚live’ verpasst hat, kann sich hier das Interview noch einmal anhören. Es gibt eine kurze Filmkritik und dann ein recht launiges Gespräch mit dem super Moderator Ralf Boll.

Um das Interview zu hören, bitte einfach oben Start drücken.

Der Film wird morgen am 14ten Januar im Goethe Institut in Windhoek gezeigt. Wir freuen uns, wenn die Einblicke in unser Leben und Schaffen euch neugierig machen. Lasst euch diese (einzige) Filmvorführung in Namibia nicht entgehen.

Ralf Boll, Steffen Holzkamp und Imke Rust im Studio 5 der NBC, Deutscher Hörfunk Namibia. (13 Januar 2016)

Ralf Boll, Steffen Holzkamp und Imke Rust im Studio 5 der NBC, Deutscher Hörfunk Namibia. (13 Januar 2016)

Finally! A new year, a new blog post and an important event to announce!

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Firstly I wish you all a very happy, adventurous, creative, healthy and awesome 2016!

I hope this will be the year where you make your dreams come true, create the reality that you want to see and find joy and gratitude in your everyday life. That is my motto, not only for the New Year, but for every new day. And added to that, I want to push myself every day to creatively and fearlessly express who I am. How about you? What are your visions and desires for 2016?

I have been quiet on the blog for some time… I am spending time at home in Namibia, with my family, meeting friends, relaxing and creating. Basically replenishing my soul and soaking up the sunshine, warmth and familiarity of home.

Clarissa, my cat, inspecting the last painting I have done in 2015 - an impression of a wild mongoose who visits us daily.

Clarissa, my cat, inspecting the last painting I have done in 2015 – an impression of a wild mongoose who visits us daily.

Home. Returning to Namibia after almost two years of absence has stirred my mind and body in interesting ways. I realise that finally our house in Germany feels more like a home to me, while Namibia and my family home here, where I have spend so many years of my life, has moved into an uneasy place of feeling powerfully familiar and at the same time somewhat distanced. Things have changed, things have stayed the same. I have changed and grown. I am curious to see how my life and I will evolve in the future.

You can view some of my everyday impressions from Namibia on my instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/imkerust/

And as promised an event announcement:

Finally we will be presenting ‘An Infinite Scream’ – my husband, Steffen Holzkamp’s documentary film about my land art project – in Namibia! On home turf so to say.

It took some time before Namibians can finally see the film and obviously I am curious and nervous as to how it will be received. So I (and Steffen) hope that if you are in Windhoek on the 14th of January you will join us at 19h15 at the Goethe Institut. (it is FREE!!!)

By the way, Namibia only had a Goethe Centre up till now, but since 2016 everybody is very excited to have it turned into a Goethe Institut. We feel very honoured that one of the first official events in the new Institut will the Namibian Premiere of our film.

Why would you see the film? Well, if you are interested in nature, environment, the desert, Namibia and/or the arts, or if you simply like me or what I am doing, then this film offers you a unique and thought-provoking view. Some serious and some fun.

It is more than a documentary.

It is an artist portrait and a project portrait. It is a reflection on what individuals can do to make the world a slightly better place. It is a beautiful mix of art, nature, society and action…

Most people only ever see the final exhibition and have no idea how it came about. If you have ever wondered how artists think, why and how they create and all the things that happen behind the scene, before you get to sip your wine at the exhibition opening, this film will give you a lot of insight into my personal way of creating.

I know I might be biased in more than one way, but I do think there is a certain magic happening when you have a very talented filmmaker and musician, who happens to know you well enough to perfectly reflect your ideas and works through his film.

This film was not planned to be a film. When I started out with my work, I simply thought it would be awesome to have the making of the individual pieces documented and fortunately Steffen was happy to do that for me. Only later, when the exhibition finally happened, after the original venue had suddenly rejected it, Steffen had the idea to turn all his filmed material into a documentary… and spend about a year on this labour of love. Thank you so much, Steffen, for all your hard work and dedication, for your beautiful pictures, music and your vision to pull this all together.

So if you are curious, we warmly invite you to come and see it.

It is not only free of charge, but you also get the chance to meet up with us and ask us questions afterwards 🙂

We are looking forward to meeting you there.

Please also feel free to share this information and invite your friends along. After all, the more the merrier.

Namibia Premiere: An Infinite Scream (Poster)

Namibia Premiere: An Infinite Scream (Poster)

Concerned about the ever-increasing uranium mining in Namibia a local artist sets out to give the Namib Desert a voice: An Infinite Scream

The Goethe Institut proudly presents the Namibian Premiere of a documentary film about Imke Rust’s land art by Steffen Holzkamp.

Date: 14th of January 2016
Time: 19h15 (Duration: 45min)
Venue: Goethe Institut, 1-5 Fidel Castro Street
Free Entry
Artist and filmmaker are present.

Trailer and more info at: https://aninfinitescream.wordpress.com/

 

Berlin Premiere of ‘An Infinite Scream’

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We are very excited to announce the Berlin Premiere of the German version of our

documentary film ‘An Infinite Scream’ at the

BrotfabrikKino in Berlin

on Saturday, May 30th (2015)

We hope we can welcome many of you for the very first public screening and a discussion with Steffen Holzkamp (director and producer) and myself, the artist. This is an exciting and intimate look behind the scene of my art making, my intentions behind it and the challenges and opportunities of the art scene in Namibia.

Please feel free to share this event widely with your friends! Thank you.

EinladungEinBild

   Die Deutsch-Namibische Gesellschaft e. V. und der Glashaus e. V.

laden Sie herzlich ein zur

Berlin-Premiere des Dokumentarfilms AN INFINITE SCREAM (Deutsche Fassung)
 
am Samstag, dem 30. Mai 2015

Beginn: 18:00 Uhr
Ort: BrotfabrikKino, Caligariplatz 1, 13086 Berlin-Weißensee
(Tram M2, M13, 12; s. „Service“ unter http://www.brotfabrik-berlin.de)

Programm:

18:00 – 18:45 Uhr        “An Infinite Scream”
18:45 – 19:00 Uhr        Gespräch mit dem Filmemacher Steffen Holzkamp und der Künstlerin Imke Rust
19:00 – 19:40 Uhr        weiteres Filmmaterial zum Thema

Synopsis:

In der prallen Wüstensonne über 1000 Weißdornen zu Kreisen legen? Schwarze Müllsackrosen in die Sanddünen pflanzen? Oder eine halbe Tonne Salz  zu einer begehbaren Skulptur formen?

Die Landart Installationen der Namibischen Künstlerin Imke Rust folgen einem immanenten Anliegen: Der Sorge über den zunehmenden Uranabbau in Namibia und der Verschandelung der Wüste. Ihre Kunstwerke sorgen für Aufmerksamkeit, verstehen sich aber auch als ein symbolischer Schutz für das geschundene Land.

Kann Kunst etwas bewirken? Was kann ich tun? Mit diesen Fragen beschäftigt sich Imke Rust auf eindringliche Weise.

In 2012 in Namibia und Berlin gedreht, spiegelt der Film die  teils meditative Stimmung der Entstehung von Rust’s Landart. Ruhige Einstellungen bei der Installation der „Salt Circles“ oder reportagige Handkamera bei der Videoperformance „The Scream“ auf der Seebrücke am Atlankik: Schnitt und Montage folgen dem Tempo der Kunst.

Die Absage der gebuchten Rust-Ausstellung seitens der Kunstvereinigung bringt dem Film eine dramaturgische Wendung und verlagert den Schwerpunkt hin zu einer gesellschaftlichen und medialen Kontroverse über die „Freiheit der Kunst“ in Namibia.

So organisiert sich die bekannte Künstlerin mit Hilfe durch ein Netzwerk von Unterstützern ihre Ausstellung einfach selbst.

Starke Bilder an atemberaubenden Orten, sowie Illustrationen und Musik verdichten den Film zu einem eindrucksvollen Statement für Courage und Eigeninitiative im eher konservativen Namibia.

Die Filmarbeit in Namibia wurde teilweise vom National Arts Council of Namibia unterstützt.

Trailer und weitere Informationen zum Film: https://aninfinitescream.wordpress.com
 

Das Kino hat 60 Plätze.

Vorverkauf oder Reservierung über Tel.: 030/471 40 41 oder per E-Mail: karten@brotfabrik-berlin.de werden empfohlen.

Der Eintritt beträgt 7,50 Euro (normal) und 6 Euro (ermäßigt).

Etwaige Fragen richten Sie bitte an: imkerust(a)iway.na

 
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