Combining the analog technique of photo etching with AI, artist and photographer Vanessa Leissring uses her newly acquired skills in the old technique for her project “Hermaphroditos.” Commenting on the prologue of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Leissring created eleven different motifs that visualize individual phrases from the book. We asked her about the project and her residency at AGA LAB.
“A new work or project usually starts with a spark of fascination – often from something I’ve read, like a book or a poem. It can also evolve naturally from ideas or themes I’ve explored in previous projects. This initial inspiration guides my process as I begin to shape the concept and direction of the new work.
I taught myself the technique of photo etching. I found it exciting to combine this very old analogue technique with my new work, which mainly consists of prompts and working with ai.
Many residents who preceded you here told us about their lows and their happy moments during their working process. Did you also experience these learning moments and what happiness did you experience during your creative process?
“I definitely experienced some learning moments during my time here. At the start of the project, I faced significant challenges and frustration, particularly realizing how slow the process of “photo etching” can be. However, once I adapted to the pace and embraced the intricacies of the technique, I found moments of happiness in seeing the gradual progress and the satisfaction of each completed piece.
“During my Artist in Residence programme,
I’ve been able to focus extensively
on mastering this technique,
which has allowed me
to push the boundaries of my work
in ways I hadn’t anticipated.”
You concluded your residency with a presentation in gallery De Bouwput. What did you show? Has your way of presenting brought you further in your process and your work?
For my residency presentation, I showcased the Prolog Project and a few pictures from my AI “Hermaphroditos” project. The way I presented them allowed the works to complement each other effectively, creating a cohesive narrative. This presentation helped me reflect on the progress I’ve made and further solidified my approach and understanding of the projects.
More work of Vanessa Leissring can be found on:
All photography by Vanessa Leissring.