Footnotes

Provenance
Courtesy of the artist

""Abyss" is grappling with nothing less than the existential conundrum of selfhood – the struggle to find one's own identity in the world.

The veritable explosion of hues speaks to the myriad possibilities of self-expression. Yet, this exuberance is tempered by a vertiginous sense of spatial depth, a visual metaphor for the complexities and uncertainties of the journey. The figures, deliberately out of focus, seem almost lost in this swirling vortex of existence.

Note the grid-like structure, a subtle nod to the societal pressures that attempt to mold and confine us. The grid, upon closer inspection, dissolves into a fluid, ever-shifting landscape, mirroring the transient nature of reality itself.

The reflections hint at the multiplicity of selves that reside within each of us – the "what ifs" and "unexpressed potential", suggesting that identity is not a singular, fixed entity, but rather a kaleidoscope of possibilities, forever in flux.

"Abyss" is inviting us to contemplate the profound mysteries of identity and existence. It demands not just to be seen, but to be pondered, to be felt. It is a mirror reflecting the complexities of the human condition, a visual meditation on the eternal search for meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it.

This work is an exclusive 1/1 for Laurel Foundation and will never be reprinted in these dimensions.

"Abyss" is both a call for compassion through self-reflection - and an encouragement to keep going. Everyone is looking for their place in the world. We are navigating society as a multidimensional space of inherent entropy. For me personally "Abyss" became even more meaningful when I myself was faced with a life-threatening situation, that forced me to reflect deeply on my own coordinates in the world and where I want them to be for the remainder." -Julian A. Kramer

Artist Statement: Julian A. Kramer is a German photographer and tech executive at Adobe whose artistry blends the realms of street and documentary photography. His work, characterized by its insightful observations, humor, and innovative use of technology, has garnered international acclaim and recognition.

His journey commenced early in the embrace of emerging technology, specifically the occasional stealing of the family digital camera, a Leica Digilux. Educated as a Bachelor of Arts in Film, his limited patience with the established production methods and curiosity for new technologies lead him to the intersection of advertising and emerging media distribution platforms in the early 2000s - encouraging him to found a experimental production house, which later lead him to run the global content production for a large luxury automotive brand.

Transitioning through roles in commercial media production and having worked for multiple luxury brands, Julian's creative trajectory took an unexpected turn when he was offered to work as a Tech Executive for the industry titans Google and Adobe, affording him to redirect his artistic focus from motion pictures and commissioned work in advertising to art photography.

Julian's photographic ethos orbits three guiding principles: provoking contemplation, instigating curiosity, and encapsulating (subjective) beauty.

His immersion in street photography provides a canvas for meditative expression, steering away from controlled environments of his former commercial production sets to embrace the serendipity of everyday moments. The subtle humor in mundane scenarios intertwines with Julian's keen eye for details, echoing through his lens and infusing his work with a poignant blend of introspection and societal commentary. Notably, his fascination with technology is still reflected in some of his work - and extends to using augmented reality as a medium for gallery interventions and enhancing exhibitions with audio guide holograms.

Julian's photography mirrors his introspective nature and fascination with technology, embodying humorous influences from renowned photographers like Martin Parr and the visual aesthetics of iconic sci-fi movies.