Artist Platforms, Promotion and Documentation

I knew from the beginning that it’s important to promote my work and connect with people to bring attention to my exhibition. Since I chose to present my work online, I focused more on digital ideas. I didn’t want to change my physical works too much, because staying true to my original intention was important to me. But of course, some things had to be adapted. For example, the work I made ‘for my mom’ this was meant to be shown as a projection.

I never exhibited it before, but I decided to include it in the online show, because it means a lot to me. The main purpose of that piece was that my mother sees it. So, I uploaded a recorded version with a simulated projection of the video, even though in real life it should be a real projection. There was some adaptation, but not too much.

I've also been exploring peer support since starting with OCA. I’m part of a group that meets every two weeks.

They’ve been a huge support for me. I often share my experiences, and we talk about different ideas. They’ve given me really helpful feedback, especially for my physical works, and it always gives me strength. Now, even after choosing to go with an online exhibition, they are still supporting me.

I also want to talk about using book design as a form of support for exhibitions.

I already created a book for my project Temporary Permanence, and I used it in Stuttgart, where the installation was presented as a final work.

Later, I also used the book at the Art Karlsruhe fair. I noticed that this book always created a special reaction in viewers. I think I’ll continue using this method. I now understand that making a book can be two things: it can be an artwork by itself, or it can support and promote the main work.

At the moment, I see it more as a supporting or promotional tool, because my goals are different. But this experience with even a small book was so positive that I’ve started thinking about including my writing in the future and maybe publishing more often. Still, this is a bigger topic for another time.

This installation was also published several times in the local newspaper.

When it comes to writing, I often feel confused. Russian is my first language, but I study in English and I live in Germany. So I’m always switching between these three languages, and that can be difficult. But I love reading in Russian, German, and English, and I enjoy how words can play and sound different in each language. Still, I know writing is not my strongest skill. I feel more confident working with visual materials. I think I’m more drawn to videos, and I often express my ideas through video or photography work instead of long texts.

For example, I wanted to highlight the method of my work. I decided to show it through my tools. An active process through passive tools. The result is not only a descriptive story, but this work can also be used as a separate art object, where the rhythm of objects, shapes and colours plays with our interpretations.

I used a large number of additional small elements about which I'm not sure what needs to be mentioned - this is all happening automatically.

QR-codes, I prepared a plan for promotion in social networks, I prepared a kind of "Guest Book, my interview in a local newspaper should be released by chance, but this is a lucky chance ... and more more more... 

Instagram posts were planned and scheduled...

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIbgogPoD2J/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Since I decided to create a virtual exhibition, I started to record extra videos and collect supporting materials.

I made three different videos that act as my artist statement and they can be perceived as my press releases. I distributed them in social networks and used their parts to promote my exhibition.

in English,

German,

and Russian.

Each one has the same visuals, but the text and emotions are different in each language. This was very interesting for me to explore. To record the voice properly, I locked myself in a closet to get better sound. Then I separated the audio and put it over the video. I used a special app on my phone to record and edit everything and to make the explanations more dynamic.

I also recorded the audio track for this exhibition myself. I used a special program on my iPad and was guided by the feelings I wanted to achieve. I wanted to achieve a sense of anxiety and uneasiness, but to place this feeling in my studio. So I recorded the sound of myself working separately and put it on the soundtrack for the exhibition.

For Exhibitopn

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I also made a short promotional video like a teaser or trailer, which I’ve published on the day the virtual exhibition opened. I created this video entirely by myself.

I was inspired by interviews I watched with Phyllida Barlow and Katharina Grosse. I wanted to do something similar, a personal interview-style video, where I explain my Shape of Feeling exhibition, show how I work, and talk about why I chose the virtual format… in the video, I’m speaking to an imaginary friend. I originally wanted to include my husband, but he had to work, and I didn’t have anyone else available. So I just imagined a supportive person who believes in my work and in me. It was actually quite difficult to accept that this video would be online for everyone to see ... I was really scared!

Finally, about my website: I’ve been using it for a long time. It’s a simple and clean way to present my work and myself. It includes information about me, my CV, my contact details, links to social media, and a collection of my works wall objects, sculptures, digital works, and paintings.

I created a new section for the Shape of Feeling exhibition. There’s a link to the page, where all the information is collected for public:

https://www.marinawittemann.com/shape-of-feeling

 I’m currently in the process of collecting responses from viewers, as my exhibition has now been online for a week. So far, not a lot of peers from OCA have given me feedback, but one opinion inspired me to create a questionnaire and to be more active in asking people directly for their feedback. 

https://www.marinawittemann.com/feedback 

I even made a small ‘walkthrough’ description that gives a short explanation of the works. But I didn’t want to make the descriptions too detailed. I prefer to leave space for the visitors to reflect and experience the works in their own way.