portraits

PORTRAITS IN MOTION (VOLKER GERLING)
Theatreworks, St Kilda (01/03/2016)
Writer – Laura Imbruglia

The mood is anticipatory at St Kilda’s beloved (and PACKED!) Theatreworks as German wanderer-cum-photographer (or is it the other way around?) Volker Gerling takes the stage. Gerling has spent the last 10 or so years walking long distances each Summer from his home in Berlin to far afield country towns, looking for people he can take portraits of (or show his flipbooks to for a small fee). Between chasing international fringe festivals and doing these walks, he lives off this artistic pursuit. He estimates he has walked some 3,500 kms since he began the project.

The flipbooks are created by taking 3 shots/second for 12 seconds, with the subject usually unaware this many shots are about to be taken. It is the moments after the first few shots that Gerling is chasing- the fragility, awkwardness, discomfort, and release on display that paints an intimate portrait of his subjects.

It really is a touching show, combining stunning photography and entertaining stories that take the audience back in time with Gerling and invite us into these private and fleeting moments with strangers and sometimes even seemingly inanimate buildings and places.

Gerling is kind enough to share specific details about his process, mistakes and triumphs along the way, which is inspiring. Interested in photography? Interested in the unknown? Interested in travel? Interested in humans? Interested in stories? This show is for you.

Whilst Gerling originally started in Berlin, he found himself wanting to try his luck in country towns where people may not be as interested or open to the arts. On his travels, he encountered people both curious and confused, one person stating “Did you go to University? Only someone who went to University would do something as stupid as this!”

If you’re seeking inspiration or feeling stuck in your everyday, this show is highly recommended to get you out of your funk and may even inspire you to take yourself on your own artistic or physical adventure while you’re at it.

It’s only running for 5 more days, don’t miss it!

Tix here

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‘His show is uniquely heart-warming’ – The Times

‘These miniature stories rinse your eyes like spring water’ – The Sunday Times

‘In Volker Gerling’s tiny flipbooks, great things emerge from small candid portraits of strangers that offer fascinating glimpses into the human soul’ – Broadway Baby

‘Each year, the Fringe throws up curios like this: little gems that let you see the world a little differently. Just delightful’ – What’s on Stage

WINNER: Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015 – Total Theatre Award for Innovation, Experimentation and Playing with Form

Portraits in Motion from Aurora Nova on Vimeo.

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By Laura Imbruglia | | In |