“As a working class child, it was scary for me to think about becoming an artist.”
Name
Anna Jocham
Profession
Photography, Video Art
Website
Where are you from?
I’m born in Austria, living and working in Düsseldorf
Your weakness? Your strength?
I can be a bit impatient. My strengths are perseverance and problem solving.
What makes you different?
In my work I reflect on the media and society.
When did you decide to become an artist?
I have always been interested in art. When I was about ten years old, I started collecting pictures and graphics on the family computer and later on my mobile phone and wanted to know how to achieve this certain aesthetic. At that time I was very interested in different forms of youth culture, like mods, rockers and punk. When I was fourteen, I applied to a school with a photography and multimedia art department. And now, over ten years later, I’m still interested in images of all kinds.
Do you choose your art form, or does the form choose you?
She chose me. As a working class child, it was scary for me to think about becoming an artist. Mainly because I had no clear idea of a life as an artist.
What do you find most fascinating about the creative process?
Sometimes I have a clear picture in my head of how things should look when they’re finished. During the process, you realise that it’s not going to be that easy. But when it works out, it’s really satisfying.
A few words about your favorite creation?
My favourite piece is a video artwork I made about the influence of algorithms in social media. During the pandemic, I was interested in why so many people believe in conspiracy theories.I have taught an algorithm to only show me content that is misogynistic. It was really eye-opening for me to act like a person I’m not in order to see this type of content. It was also shocking how quickly my entire ‘For You’ page was filled with this type of content. I recorded my screen during this process and made a video installation out of it.
What surprised you most about your first art shows?
My first show was about my personal interpretation of narcissism, inspired by the book ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde. Looking back, I find it fascinating how exciting it was to deal with this topic.
Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…
There is a great influence from various artists who have shaped my view of art. I was really fascinated by the performances of Marina Abramovic, they made a deep impression on me. But the Düsseldorf School of Photography also had a big influence on me. I can still remember seeing the books for the first time at school and talking about their representatives.
Who would you like to work with someday and why?
There are many people, and for me it depends on the project.
A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?
Yes, I would like to continue working on my project ‘Der Wurm zernagt des Frühlings zarte Kinder’, which is a reinterpretation of the character ‘Ophelia’ in Shakespear’s book ‘Hamlet’.
Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“
… is good friendship and health.
2025: Where are we going?
I will be having a few exhibitions soon, for example at Paris Photo as the winner of the Student Carte Blanche programme, where I will be showing my work ‘Every Cloud has a silver lining’.
Do you think about time as an artist?
Yes, I often organise my time with to-do lists, which helps me to structure my day.
When the going gets tough…
It helps to talk to friends and reflect on the situation.
Put on your future vision glasses: What direction is our generation moving in, what will our world look like in 50 years?
I’m a bit scared of the right-wing movement at the moment and the ability of AI to collect data, to improve life, but also to destroy it. In addition to that, climate change.
What would you do if you could change the World?
I think it’s really important to get back in touch with people, I think we’ve lost each other.
What does freedom mean when it comes to art?
I think that art is very important in a democracy. Especially to be able to say things out loud, to be able to talk about politics, discrimination, conflicts and the environment. Art can bring people together and be eye-opening, especially when it comes to topics that people were not interested in before. It is also important to have a stable state foundation in order to be able to work in the field of conceptual art and not be dependent on the art market.
If the universe is everything and it’s expanding, what is it expanding into?
The infinite, which is frightening.
Tell us about your future plans…
Continue working.
A book that everyone should read…
Moshtari Hilal „Ugliness“
Marjane Satrapi „Persepolis“ as a graphic novel
Last but not least: what is your favorite Song?
At the moment: Body Godly, YULLOLA
Your #…?
#Annajocham
