We recently stumbled across Gundula Blumi’s tumblr account and let’s just say she’s making some interesting strides in the realm of photography. The Berlin-based photographer takes dreamy, thought-provoking shots that explore long exposure, double takes and a radical approach to the printing process.
Citing her inspirations as “ surreal moments, bizarre emotions and realities beneath the surface,” she distorts the images playing with light, colour and water until the photographs shift into something completely different — taking on a more complex and mysterious quality.
Originally from a small town in Northern Germany, Blumi moved to Berlin in her early '20s to study cultural work & arts management, as well as work with the mentally handicapped. She credits these initial years in the city and the novelties of a new and stimulating environment as the driving force behind her passion for experimental photography. Sensitive to her surroundings and fascinated with the realisation that human beings are incredibly layered by nature, this further fueled her desire to really capture the ineffable, those fleeting sentiments that words fail to convey — the subtleties, the blissful, the grey.
It’s obvious that Gundula’s work is progressive in a sense and ultimately a departure from tradition but what makes it even more interesting is that she openly admits to being a bit clueless in terms of “ special camera techniques,” and yet, she still thrives in this land of the unknown — navigating through murky waters with great confidence and curiosity. Blumi embodies that willingness and fearless attitude that most innovators are so naturally equipped with, which is 1— most admirable and 2 — results in some really cool photos.
Otherworldly or not, there’s an underlying sense of clarity that is surprisingly present in a lot of Gundula’s work — evoking a sharp feeling of heightened awareness despite the hazy overtones. Equally cerebral as they are sensual, her images also contain a bit of warmth and nostalgia throughout, further defining her style and creative tendencies.
- Maria G. Tuckler
