Эллен Янцен

a time to seek

source: highlike

Work: I have always been interested in alternate states of reality, the meaning of dreams, what becomes of our spirits after death (and before birth). We all deal with “loss” in some form, loss of friends, home, youth, and the ultimate loss, loss of life. Death transforms us; reality shifts, but to what? I am intrigued with how a person adapts to losses in their lives; how they are absorbed by events and changed; how they experience loss. I set about to address these issues through a photographic photosynthesis in this body of work; choosing photography as the medium to help me reveal reality while at the same time transform that reality to reflect loss. In this image, I have placed my husband (Michael) in an environmentv where a loss of some sort has recently occurred. Some of the losses were very specific and personal and some were of a general, universal nature reflected in an inner state of anguish and eventual acceptance.

I was born and raised in St. Louis, but moved to California in 1990 to attend FIDM in downtown Los Angeles. Here, I obtained an advanced degree in Fashion in1992. After working at Mattel Toy Co. as a senior project designer, I became disillusioned with the corporate world. Having been trained in computer design while at Mattel, I continued my training using mostly Photoshop software. As digital technology advanced and newer cameras were producing excellent resolution, I found my perfect medium. It was a true confluence of technological advancements and creative desire that culminated in my current body of work.
Photographer: Ellen Jantzen
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source: ragazinecc

The web is filled with a wealth of photographic material, some charming, some ‘anyone could do’, some that takes you by the shoulders and shakes you awake, some that puts you to sleep. Ellen Jantzen’s photographs call you back, like the memory of an event you can’t shake — images that cling, bringing to mind past events, and casting light on an unknown and mysterious future. Some reviewers speak of her work as an artistic exploration of quantum mechanics; one-hundred years ago her work would have been proof enough that spirits exist. Whatever your experience of Jantzen’s parallel universe, we trust you’ll take it with you.

I have always been interested in alternate states of reality, but looking over my last few series, those initiated and completed since moving to the Midwest from California, I see that I am also dealing with “loss” in some form; loss of friends, home, youth, and the ultimate loss, loss of life. Death transforms us; reality shifts, but to what?

I am intrigued with how a person adapts to losses in their lives — how they are absorbed by events and changed. How does one experience loss? Catastrophic losses usually have a face; think war photos, photos from the World Trade Center, crashes of various sorts; but I am interested in personal loss. What does loss look like?

I set about to address these issues through a photographic photosynthesis in this body of work — choosing photography as the medium to help me reveal, and at the same time enshroud, truths.

In this work, I have placed my husband (Michael) in various environments where a loss of some sort has recently occurred. One of these locations is the interior of a house designed by Michael and built by both of us for his mother about 30 years ago. The structure has gone through a radical evolution from its contemporary inception to being filled with antiques. Recently this home was sold, as mother was moved to an assisted living home. Clearing 30 years of accumulation to reveal the naked interior was transformative. To ultimately see a new family inhabiting the space has left Michael with contradictory feelings of loss and resurrection.
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source: sculpture

I was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri, USA
In 1992, I Graduated Summa Cum Laude from FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising), Los Angeles California I have a varied background; originally my emphasis was on graphic arts and I obtained my first college degree in this field. I became disillusioned with the basic nature of art for advertising sake and dropped out to become an organic gardener and cheese-maker. I raised goats also. But this became unfulfilling as I really longed for creative outlets and interactions. I then went back to college and got my second degree in fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, California. I became quite fascinated with using fabrics in innovative ways which led me to work for several major corporations designing clothing concepts and products. I also briefly taught product design at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California. Alas, I again became disillusioned with the corporate/academic climate and longed for something more creative. I have been making my current body of work with digitally manipulated photography for over ten years now and find great satisfaction and excitement each day as I work. This is the perfect marriage of two dimensional graphic sensibilities and my need to create “things”. Because I create ephemeral assemblages to use in my photography, my desire to work three dimensionally is fulfilled also.
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source: nuncalosabre

“Disturbing the Spirits” es la nueva serie de la fotógrafa norteamericana Ellen Jantzen que, y como indica la propia artista:

“Esta serie trata sobre la realidad y el tiempo (pasado presente/futuro ) y mi creciente apego a los poderes curativos de la naturaleza.

Los árboles nos enseñan acerca de la pertenencia, nos recuerdan que la vida no necesita ningún permiso para prevalecer. Los árboles son santuarios. Si escuchamos con atención, podemos aprender de la antigua ley de la vida . Son vistos como poderosos símbolos de crecimiento, decadencia y resurrección. Han jugado un papel destacado en muchos cuentos y leyendas y se les ha dado un significado profundo y sagrado.

Sin embargo, la longevidad de un árbol puede calmarnos en un falso sentido de la inmortalidad. Es esta misma impermanencia que intento entender a través de mis exploraciones fotográficas. Hay una belleza natural inefable …. demasiado grande para ser expresado o descrito con palabras.

En “Disturbing the Spirits” utilizo imágenes para expresar mis sentimientos sobre el estado de la naturaleza, la naturaleza de los árboles, y la forma de expresar su conexión con el pasado, presente y futuro. Por ocultar una parte de la imagen a través de un velo, me esfuerzo para aumentar la realidad restante a través del descubrimiento y la reflexión.”