KISS ME I’M GOLDEN
Year 2019
Music photography and the documentation of bands go hand in hand with a certain style and certain subjects that, to this day, have been reproduced a thousand times: pre-gig rituals and band huddles, sweaty faces right after the show, backstage drinks, little jokes in-between shows, live footage. These photographs are rarely ever art since they mainly serve the purpose of promoting a particular band image and therefore only allow intimate moments in a set frame.
The essence Annika Weertz is trying to find in her photographs exceeds the authentic portrayal of a band. It is the genuine perception of connections. In what ways does the social atmosphere manifest itself among the band members, what are their relationships with each other like and what type of connection do they have with the photographer? By putting together numerous images, Weertz tries to create a mosaic of interpersonal relationships, which obviously and ultimately remains unfinished. It is an artistic attempt that also reveals its own perspective, as the artist’s personality and presence contribute a vital part to the documentary and have a significant influence on the outcome of the project. Annika Weertz comes closer to a truth that lies beyond objective documentation and unfolds a tension of its very own for the viewer.
