Origin

  • Thea Løvstad
The camera is an extension of the eye, a tool that can reflect society and present ideas. It cannot ever truly project the whole truth. It can never be objective. What it can do is to create new worlds – worlds of symbols and narratives where the truth is staged. That is what I aim for in my photography. My work is neither true nor false.

In my current project `Origin´ I explore the relationship between the human body and the surroundings, by photographing “genderless” nude models in natural environments like woodland and coastlines. I make the body interact with the landscape by shaping the body so it looks like an abstract, almost surreal, object.
In today´s society, especially in Western culture, the cases of deadly diseases caused by lifestyle, is ever increasing. During our lifetime we stress about materialistic and superficial desires. Consumerism and capitalism have become the mantra of our souls. This is what I want to show in my current work. I want to show how the body wants to “rewild”, go back to nature and slow down in this man-made age.

An important factor in my work is the surface my pictures are printed on. By printing on “organic” and “natural” materials like textured paper I create a more tactile substance to the images, so that the viewer can engage better with the concept. By focusing on feel and raw textures I also create an emphasis on the re-introduction of nature to man.

On a final note, my photography is a reflection and projection of the society. It is a staged truth of contemporary issues and life through the lens, by the use of light and shadow.