In her photographic works and video installations Düsseldorf photo and video artist Gudrun Kemsa explores the representation of space, time and motion. Her gaze focuses on public spaces, usually in urban settings, streets and squares in which she captures events as they evolve. The photographs taken all over the world show the influence of time on the perception and dynamic drive afforded to the static image space. Time is expressed as a dimension in motion, with the energetic force of light as the central motif. Gudrun Kemsa’s works involve the observer as subject of the observation, driving him or her to an active form of reception.
The exhibition catalogue documents Gudrun Kemsa’s new video series entitled Moving Portraits and the eponymous series of large-format photographs. She ‘follows’ Salzburg’s culture professionals such as the president of the Salzburg Festival, Helga Rabl-Stadler, the abbot of St. Peter’s, Korbinian Birnbacher, the director of the Mozart Museums, Gabriele Ramsauer, and others in their respective institutions.
‘The sudden sensation of being in motion yourself draws your attention even more to the cinematic space and the real space as a system of reference; it lends perspective to the awareness of your own presence within the actual space and real time, and ultimately accentuates the physicality of the act of seeing.’ (Martin Hochleitner)

Gudrun Kemsa, *1961 in Datteln, Germany. Lives and works in Düsseldorf, Germany.