LOOKING FOR PRESENCE

Images of nature and images of a person often form into dense spaces of visual energy, as the body and nature constantly enable multi-layered expressions, varied symbolic levels and numerous memories and longings on the way of life. Body, trees, leaves and sea are not mere vehicles for expression, because they mainly create expressions with a variety of connotations visually expanding spaces of personal experiences or those that are simply based on images sincerely perceived in the environment.  

In her photographic series Nataša Košmerl merged images of a person and images of nature in a rhythmical sequence of mutual overlapping or exchange. She herself appears as a silent observer and active participant in these events. The contents of photos are clearly discernible, associated with nature and personal experience of life, however in its deep, symbolically arranged record it means a sort of a string of motifs subject to mental imagery. Levels of visual and emotional memory appear on these photos in slightly raptured, meditatively calm worlds. The motif and photographic field or deliberate clipping gives rise to smooth, clean and clear images, where the light is evenly applied and dispersed as a unique shade of colour in the static and even somewhat stiff happening. The time has stopped in these images, there are no disturbing elements of evasion or conveyance of visual concentration from the core of illustration, which in all her works refers to the presence of its own subject (female energy in combination with male energy). The energy of bodies is felt also where the photographic record displays no human figure, but we can sense its presence in the intimate emphasis on a place or object filled or recognised with a typical female grace, gentleness and above all love.  The photographer herself acts as a connecting subject, observer of life, creator and perceiver of senses. Her position and the status of nature have a strictly defined border outlined by sharpness of the composition limited with horizontal or vertical dynamics. Spatial plans of images are placed in a controlled fashion in a unique superficiality with appropriate visual gravity where the gaze can become steady and an underlying static effect can be achieved. The field of image can therefore create an organised image-taking process, a unique view captured in a rectangular space filled with ecstasy of living. Forms are becoming extensions of mutual relations between height, width and depth creating as surfaces or a dimensional body the power of expression, presence condensed in certain details and integrity of light. The body (the photographer) and the nature have become vessels to be filled with light and life.

Nataša Košmerl is looking for a sense and significance of her presence. She is standing on the stage of life, where she is creating and finding her place in the world of photography filled with real and imaginary places, among which she is investigating with her camera the alignment or balance of the psychological and realistic side of existence.  In doing that she is free and committed only to options provided by the photographic medium and herself as a being capable of feeling.

Sarival Sosiā, PhD