Who?
Wojtek
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"I think you are incredibly talented. You have tons of good ideas. Please stick with them."
How did he react?
"Wow, thank you! I sure will!"
How did I feel?
Wojtek is one of those surprises life blesses you with. A few months ago my friend Dominik asked me if I wanted to do a photo shoot with him. I said, "Hell yeah!". He brought a fellow artist, Wojtek. The shoot was 3 hours of total fun. I entered with no expectations and left with glitter all over my body, shaving gel on my nose and a bunch of crazy poses to think back of. Grateful for the experience I smiled for a few days, then didn't think of it- until I saw the pictures. With surprise. They were amazing pieces of art! Wojtek and Dominik had come up with plans and ideas that actually looked good, too. They'd projected photos on a canvas and had me and themselves stand in front of that canvas, covering our bodies with the pictures' colors and shapes. Body projection instead of body paint. On top of that Dominik had cut some patterns into sheets of paper and, holding a sheet in front of the light, created yet another visual layer. I'd turned into a chameleon! Awesome experience. The best part: It worked! Even through a camera. So did Wojtek's ideas. He had gone for the classic portrait shot. I'd been sitting in front of the camera with make up on my face, crepe paper and flowers around my head and woolen strings in my mouth. They tasted weird. What the whole thing looked like? No idea. I was busy trying to keep my paper hat in place and my mouth from drying out. Again I saw the shots later and again I was amazed. Just like a Berlin bar owner who is friends with Wojtek. He ordered a painting of one picture. Wojtek, the photographer turned into Wojtek, the painter. Yesterday we met in Kreuzberg, Berlin, to visit the painting at it's new home the Kreuzberg bar. I was filled with awe. and pride. And great joy, knowing that I have a spot in my place of birth. I am around, even when I am not. Living in Andernach I have been missing Berlin a lot, so it is the greatest gift. We raised our glasses.
Wojtek
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"I think you are incredibly talented. You have tons of good ideas. Please stick with them."
How did he react?
"Wow, thank you! I sure will!"
How did I feel?
Wojtek is one of those surprises life blesses you with. A few months ago my friend Dominik asked me if I wanted to do a photo shoot with him. I said, "Hell yeah!". He brought a fellow artist, Wojtek. The shoot was 3 hours of total fun. I entered with no expectations and left with glitter all over my body, shaving gel on my nose and a bunch of crazy poses to think back of. Grateful for the experience I smiled for a few days, then didn't think of it- until I saw the pictures. With surprise. They were amazing pieces of art! Wojtek and Dominik had come up with plans and ideas that actually looked good, too. They'd projected photos on a canvas and had me and themselves stand in front of that canvas, covering our bodies with the pictures' colors and shapes. Body projection instead of body paint. On top of that Dominik had cut some patterns into sheets of paper and, holding a sheet in front of the light, created yet another visual layer. I'd turned into a chameleon! Awesome experience. The best part: It worked! Even through a camera. So did Wojtek's ideas. He had gone for the classic portrait shot. I'd been sitting in front of the camera with make up on my face, crepe paper and flowers around my head and woolen strings in my mouth. They tasted weird. What the whole thing looked like? No idea. I was busy trying to keep my paper hat in place and my mouth from drying out. Again I saw the shots later and again I was amazed. Just like a Berlin bar owner who is friends with Wojtek. He ordered a painting of one picture. Wojtek, the photographer turned into Wojtek, the painter. Yesterday we met in Kreuzberg, Berlin, to visit the painting at it's new home the Kreuzberg bar. I was filled with awe. and pride. And great joy, knowing that I have a spot in my place of birth. I am around, even when I am not. Living in Andernach I have been missing Berlin a lot, so it is the greatest gift. We raised our glasses.
Then we talked. I love getting to know people. It's like opening a treasure chest and slowly exploring the content, gold piece by gold piece. Wojtek is a special treasure chest: He has a double bottom. Actually he has several. He's not only a photographer and a painter but also a connoisseur on the art of living. Finishing his studies of design he spent some time in the open countryside. He got rid of his clothes and all his possessions for a while. His aim: Creating an apartment out of nothing but nature. He limited the space, created walls and set up a living room, a ktichen, a bathroom, a study and a hallway connecting them all. Then he dug up some clay and wrapped it around stones. Cutting the result in half he was done fabricating plates.
Apparently this is a repetition of the process for he is wearing clothes and using gadgets.
His dream: Spending his sunset years in a house which he has entirely built himself, just like every single piece of the interior. Finally falling asleep peacefully.
His vision: Building, creating, being close to nature, yes- but making the outcome look aesthetic at the same time.
For living he wants to sell pieces that live up to sustainable living requirements, that tell a story but don't rub the fact that they tell a story in your face. They are not supposed to look used. According to Wojtek they'll be stunning design pieces. I have no doubt he is going to manage that. Just like the gluten free bistro he is thinking about (he suffers from gluten intolerance) and the urban sustainable design blog. And his scene builder career.
The last double bottom was opened when he told me a love story of his. That's when I met Wojtek, the taleteller. An hour passed, I didn't notice. I saw the lady in front of me, smelled her perfume and got his goosebumps. Longed for her smile... And laughed. A lot. My forecast: Wojtek is going to live a life full of creative highlights. Finally he'll sit in his self made home and write a book about it all. He told me he'd be down for writing his memoirs, just for himself though. If you ask me that'd be a shame. I know the book would be a bestseller. And I actually can't wait to read it.
Anything else?
Check out Wojtek's painting profile here
His dream: Spending his sunset years in a house which he has entirely built himself, just like every single piece of the interior. Finally falling asleep peacefully.
His vision: Building, creating, being close to nature, yes- but making the outcome look aesthetic at the same time.
For living he wants to sell pieces that live up to sustainable living requirements, that tell a story but don't rub the fact that they tell a story in your face. They are not supposed to look used. According to Wojtek they'll be stunning design pieces. I have no doubt he is going to manage that. Just like the gluten free bistro he is thinking about (he suffers from gluten intolerance) and the urban sustainable design blog. And his scene builder career.
The last double bottom was opened when he told me a love story of his. That's when I met Wojtek, the taleteller. An hour passed, I didn't notice. I saw the lady in front of me, smelled her perfume and got his goosebumps. Longed for her smile... And laughed. A lot. My forecast: Wojtek is going to live a life full of creative highlights. Finally he'll sit in his self made home and write a book about it all. He told me he'd be down for writing his memoirs, just for himself though. If you ask me that'd be a shame. I know the book would be a bestseller. And I actually can't wait to read it.
Anything else?
Check out Wojtek's painting profile here