Description
Hallo Asli is a touching and impossible portrayal of the artist’s partner, Asli, and the enduring strength of their bond. The series stands as an ode to young love. Incorporating the intimate, the banal, the abstract, the moving and affectionate moments that make their relationship so special… That make so many relationships special. With this body of work Josh visually articulates a complex web of emotions for us to immerse ourselves in.
Hallo Asli is a brave and beautiful attempt to capture, decode and distill through the artist’s signature visual poetry, what it is to be completely besotted and devoted to someone. The images are at once particular to this young couple, and at the same time universal. Josh’s ability to get to the heart of a subject and to capture such beautiful moments of raw significance, allow us a unique window into their lives. One that we can all relate to.
Using Josh’s experimental and playful approach to the medium the prints below incorporate a variety of methods. Choosing to soak prints in everyday liquids like coffee, mud or bleach. Sometimes painting or marking the sheets as if highlighting his workings out. Speechless notations made in the margins.
“We are in a relationship, but it’s the most perfect relationship you can imagine. We both have our work, we love and want the best for each other (I’m not complaining about this!) but who wants to hear about that? And I’m not sure if I’m fishing for compliments now. But it’s on my mind so much and I want to get it out there and create something, I’m just not sure how.” – Josh Kern, 2021
This grand gesture, along with the trust and the vulnerability involved with releasing this body of work of this nature should not be underestimated. We are so glad he did.
Artist Bio
Josh Kern is a photographer based in Germany. His work often illustrates the exuberance, ecstasy and anguish of youth. Shooting exclusively with analog film, his photographs carry a strong materiality. Kern obsessively documents the world around him, creating tender images, photobooks and expressively paint filled notebooks, recording the passage of time. He has published three books: Fuck Me (Dienacht, 2018), Love Me (Eigensinn, 2020) and Raüber (Eigensinn, 2021).
“My camera was with me everywhere and it somehow became a part of myself. It gave me permission to not be shy and the ability to show how intense and beautiful I perceive life. I found something where I can shamelessly express what I feel, my critical view on our generation and myself and my love for life in general.” – Josh Kern
Contact for all artwork enquiries:
tom@opendoors.gallery
