The street photography collective Seconds2Real shows from 15th October until 30th October 2011 their first group exhibition in Berlin. Under the title “fascination street” over 100 works by Seconds2Real members are on display in the MEINBLAU Kunsthaus.
The opening is on 14th October 2011 at 7 pm.
On the occasion of the exhibition, I conducted an interview with the Seconds2Real photographer Kay von Aspern:
Peter Feldhaus: The street photographers collective seconds2real was founded in 2007 by Ronny Künniger. How the photographers turned up and why the restriction on photographers from Germany and Austria?
Kay von Aspern: Originally Ronny, as the founder of the group, decided which photographer was invited to the group. Based on his personal photographic preference a first group of about 10-15 international street photographers were build up.
After a relatively short time it was clear that something must be changed structurally to be more like just another online platform. Seconds2Real therefore changed its membership structure. All the photographers come from German-speaking countries and a definition who we are, or what, is now easier. The main advantage was that it is now relatively easy to realize collective projects like exhibitions.
In addition, regular meetings are held. On one hand, online member conferences via Skype, and on the other hand, in the form of personal meetings. The personal contact and common projects are very important for us. This can be achieved easier in case of a certain geographical area.
Peter: You meet each other on a regular basis in different cities. How often these events take place, what happens there and why you meet always in different cities?
Kay: The ‘big’ meeting attended by all group members takes place once a year. Within the year there are usually additional smaller meetings, where only two, three or four of us come together.
Choosing different cities brings some variety to the meetings. Despite our strong commitment we are not a photography club, who runs a fixed agenda. In the meetings we want to have fun and to retain our individuality. The gatherings are organized just roughly.
We are not running around all the time as a photographer group. Some of us use the time to take pictures, some just look at the city or visits exhibitions. In the evening we meet for dinner and there is of course a lot of talk about street photography.
Some bring in prints or entire portfolios, which are passed around. There are images seen and discussed. All this happens in a friendly and constructive atmosphere. Also plans and projects are discussed, just like our upcoming exhibition in Berlin.
Peter: In the last few months the otherwise rather neglected street photography got a a lot of attention.
There was the book “Street Photography Now” with the accompanying exhibition and the Flickr project, the hype surrounding the work of the posthumously discovered Vivian Maier and the London Photography Festival – to name just a few key points. How this increased attention influenced your group?
Kay: The things you mentioned were – I think – useful for street photography in general. Everything together helped to bring more attention to street photography and to us as photographers and as a group. A Seconds2Real photographer – Siegfried Hansen from Hamburg – is indeed represented in the book and the accompanying exhibition.
The public attention has increased, but mainly it had an impact in the Anglo-American world. Nevertheless, this current “hype” motivated us to achieve something that reaches a wider audience here.
Peter: In October 2011 Seconds2Real presents its first group exhibition in Berlin. Was a group exhibition a clear target for Seconds2Real? And what is the exhibition “fascination street” about, what you want to show t the visitors?
Kay: Definitely yes! A group exhibition was a priority and to Berlin should not be the end. It is planned to show “fascination street” 2012 in Vienna. Other cities are being considered.
As already mentioned above, Seconds2Real wants to be much more than just an online community. It lives by the personal contact between the photographers and by the projects that take place ‘in real life’, outside the virtual space.
“fascination street” is our first group exhibition, and we want to give the visitors an idea what contemporary street photography could be. The participating photographers work very differently and I think will be visible how many facets street photography has to offer.
Peter: How Seconds2Real will go on? Is the group already full or are you still open to newbies?
Kay: Basically, we want to continue our way. It is not important for us to be the largest “street photographers club” or something like that. We are interested in a stable community that shares a passion for street photography. And the chemistry between the photographers has to be right, at least to the extent that a constructive cooperation is possible. If in doubt, this point goes beyond the photographic skills.
For these reasons, we are very cautious according to new members. But we are not closed completely. At the end of the year, there will be probably a new group member added. But it is not our goal to expand the group permanently. We would prefer to get the best possible from the existing group.
Peter: Thank you for the interview.
Ed
via website
06 Oct 2011
Street these days in general is in a sorry state due to the overhyped billion megapixel Anglosaxon assault on the public. Wether this group is part of it return to health or not is not my judgement call. But some of what I see I like (for once), and since my street allergy that may be saying something. Keep things exclusive Ron, remember viel Spreuhe wenig Weitzen to be seen in general.