Mercedes Wagner
lens-based artist
german-peruvian-austrian
*1984
My artistic practice is based on the photographic image and its representative functions. The topics mostly deal with the mundane and the underlying conditions that shape our present. Having an emphasis on the gesture of displaying, my works often incorporate media-reflexive aspects or refer to the context of science and knowledge.
Everyday objects and practices, language and artifacts are proxies for abstract concepts like culture and identity. My works explore the trivial revealing interrelations of historic, economic and social significance. By means of both the documentary and staging qualities of the photographic image, they turn the unvisible visible, unveiling the complexity of daily life. Using photography’s inherent contradiction of claiming but also generating reality my artistic practice is rather about asking questions than trying to give answers. They seak to reveal our concepts of reality as constructs of a specific system and to create alternative networks of meaning. Involving both still and moving images my site-specific installations, video works and books implement spatial and temporal aspects, sound, text and materials to create frameworks for unusual references.
These photographic spaces enable further possibilities of reality questioning the viewer’s visual mind set. Thus, my work also deals with our relation towards the photographic image, the (depicted) object and the way we perceive the world.
Education
2013-2018: MA Photography Studies and Practice, Folkwang University of the Arts Essen, GER 2015-2016: Research and study trips in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Brazil 2015: Masterclass Contemporary Photography, Centro de la Imagen Lima, PER 2006-2011: BA Scenography and Costume, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover, GER 2004-2005: Magister Studies of Philosophy, Gender Studies, Economic & Social History, Georg-August-University Goettingen, GER
Purchases
2021 Photo collection of the Federal Government, on permanent loan at the Museum der Moderne Salzburg, AT
Grants
2021: Project funding, Linden Limmer City District Council, Hannover, GER Microfunding, Young Culture, Cultural Office Hannover, GER NEUSTART KULTUR, Digital Voucher, BBK Federal Association, Berlin, GER 2019: Individual Artistic Development (Project), Federal Land of North Rhine-Westphalia, GER 2018: Individual Artistic Development (Research), Federal Land of North Rhine-Westphalia, GER Project Funding, Society of Friends & Sponsors, Folkwang University of the Arts, Essen, GER Scholarship, Federal Government of Germany/Foundation Sparkassenstiftung Essen, GER 2017: Short List Folkwang Prize 2017, Folkwang University of the Arts Essen, GER
Exhibitions
2021: Stationen, Subway Stop Markthalle / Landtag, Hannover, GER Digitale Herbstausstellung, Kunstverein Hannover, GER The Hidden Me, Cabaret Voltaire Société and Diversions, Victoria, BC, CAN The Dreamer, Millepiani, Rome, ITL 2020: Open Studios, Kulturetage Ihmezentrum, Hannover, GER 2019: Made in..., Kunsthaus Essen, GER 2018: Folkwang Finale, Sanaa Building, Zollverein Essen, GER International Youn Photographers, Photo Biennale 2018, Daeguart Factory, Daegu, KOR Video Screening, Rundgang 2018, Zollverein Essen, GER Touch (solo), Raum Z13 Essen, GER Photoprojekte Bauschau 2007-2018, Baustelle Schaustelle Duesseldorf, Photo Duesseldorf, GER You there, us here, W-10 Gallery FIU Miami, USA 2017: LIQUID LAYERS même l’eau a l’air fausse (solo), Galerie52 Essen, GER Before Miami, Baustelle Schaustelle Essen, GER Folkwang Preis 2017, Sanaa Building Zollverein, Essen, GER Stopover, UG im Folkwang, Museum Folkwang, Essen, GER 2014: Rundgang Fotografie, Auktionshaus Schützenbahn, Essen, GER Krisen des Sichtbaren, Pasinger Fabrik, Munich, GER 2011:...können wir das bitte sehen?, Ballhof, Hannover, GER 2010: Vol. 10, Seilbahn Expo Plaza, Hannover, GER
Publication Contributions
2018: Encounter V History of Photography in Daegu, International Young Photographers Exhibition, Photo Artists Society of Korea: Photography Exhibition, Fringe Photo Festival, Galleries Association of Daegu: Special Photography Exhibition, catalogue, Photo Biennale 2018, Daegu, KOR International Young Photography Exhibition, catalogue, Photo Biennale 2018, Daegu, KOR 2017: Stopover, brochure, UG im Folkwang, Museum Folkwang Essen, GER Irgend, artist's book, hand-made, Essen, GER 2014: Schöne neue Welt, HANT Magazine for Photography, No. 04, Erfurt, GER Folkwang UdK, brochure, Photokina Academy 2014, Cologne, GER
Texts
2020: Über weites Wasser, Flusser Studies 29 – 2020/Centennial Three-Part Issue, flusserstudies.net 2018: Ein fotografischer Körper? Aktivität und Passivität eines theoretischen Objekts. MA thesis, Folkwang University of the Arts Essen, GER
Activities and Collaborations
2021: Ceramic Studio (with Alejandra Rodriguez Maldonado), PLATZProjekt e.V./platzWERK e.V., Hannover, GER 2017/18: Student council, appointment process, Photography & Time-Based Media, Folkwang University Essen, GER 2017-18: Collaborator, Baustelle Schaustelle Space for Young Art Essen/Duesseldorf, GER 2013: Scenography (with Mona Lühring), Playground Love, motion picture, directed by Nils Loof, GER 2009/10: Scenography and Costume, Disco Pigs, role play by Enda Walsh, directed by Titus Georgi, Studio Theatre, Hannover, GER