Photographer Ruth Erdt has repeatedly exhibited at message salon since 1996. Between the ages of 16 and 22, she created many photographic self-portraits on her way to becoming an artist. The pictures of the budding artist were not yet intended for an audience; they arose from an inner dialogue in search of identity and expression.
In the publication “Cyanotypes”, Ruth Erdt’s photographs are juxtaposed with the self-portraits of her daughter Eva, also taken between the ages of 16 and 22. The young artist Eva Vuillemin is now 23 years old and studies art in Berlin. “Cyanotypes” is the first joint conceptual work by the two artists, mother and daughter.
The time span between the generations dissolves, visually condenses to a common level, and leads to an encounter that has never taken place in this way. What if Ruth and Eva were the same age? What would their relationship look like?
The two artists are showing the original sheets from the publication in a jointly conceived exhibition at the Perla-Mode Corner. The publication “Cyanotypes” is available at message salon and costs 24 francs.
“Cyanotypes”
Self-portraits Ruth Erdt 16-22 years
Self-portraits Eva Vuillemin 16-22 years
Eva is Ruth’s daughter.
Cyanotype is one of the earliest photographic printing processes. The special blue colouring of the print is called “Berlin blue”. The prints on paper were created by sunlight on the streets of Berlin.
Graphic design: Benedikt Reichenbach, printed in Berlin 2011 ©Ruth Erdt and Eva Vuillemin
Co-production with Kunstraum Substitut, Berlin