SPECIAL EDITION SCHLÖSSLI Eva Brunner auf VTph editions
Das Schloss Schauensee, Wahrzeichen der Stadt Kriens bei Luzern, Schweiz, liebevoll SCHLÖSSLI genannt, übt in seiner spröden Schönheit seit jeher eine große Faszination aus. Auf Eva Brunner ganz besonders, zumal sie einen Teil ihrer Kindheit dort verbrachte, nachdem ihre Mutter in zweiter Ehe den illustren und charismatischen Banquier Ernst Brunner geheiratet hatte. Es folgte ein beispielloser gesellschaftlicher Aufstieg, der ein Jahrzehnt später abrupt im Ruin endete. Im autobiografischen Hörspiel „Blauensee – Ein wahres Märchen mit fatalen Folgen“ von 2007 ging Eva den Hintergründen nach. Für das kleine Mädchen jedoch war die verwunschene Umgebung damals ein Nährboden für alle möglichen Fantasien. 2022 war Eva fotografisch auf Spurensuche im SCHLÖSSLI und arbeitet nun an einem Künstlerbuch mit neuen Fotografien, Auszügen aus dem Familienalbum und einem Essay.
Schauensee Castle, the landmark of the town of Kriens near Lucerne, Switzerland, affectionately known as SCHLÖSSLI, has always held a great fascination with its austere beauty. It is particularly true for Eva Brunner, who spent part of her childhood there after her mother married the illustrious and charismatic banker Ernst Brunner. This was followed by an unprecedented rise in society, which came to an abrupt end a decade later in bankruptcy. In the autobiographical radio play “Blauensee – A true fairy tale with fatal consequences” from 2007, Eva explored the circumstances behind this story. For the little girl, however, the enchanted surroundings were a breeding ground for all kinds of fantasies. In 2022, Eva went in search of traces at the SCHLÖSSLI and is now working on an artist’s book with new photographs, excerpts from the family album and an essay.
PERCHANCE TO DREAM
PERCHANCE TO DREAM
“With the images of her series Perchance to Dream, photographer Eva Brunner transports us into a world between fantasy and reality, between authenticity and mise-en-scène. As if in a daydream, we embark on a journey with ever-changing sceneries in urban spaces and natural worlds, always at the intersection between privateness and the public sphere. Her companion and simultaneously the main protagonist in this exploration of a ‘theatre of real life’ is her life partner. Constantly present in the flow of images, he assumes various roles, both as Bernhard and in his transidentity as Barbara. The special quality of Perchance to Dream lies in the fact that it depicts fleeting moments of everyday life with the same intensity as the theatrical stagings of a ‘transsexuality’. There is no clearly defined boundary between identities. Just as there is much truth in disguise, the unadorned is full of secrets.”–Wolfgang Zurborn
FROM THE SERIES „PERCHANCE TO DREAM“
EVA BRUNNER
FEATURING BERNHARD KEMPEN AKA BARBARA
With half a line from Hamlet’s soliloquy “to be or not to be”, I immerse myself in a world between fantasy and reality, between authenticity and staging. As if in a daydream, I set off with my partner Bernhard – and his trans identity Barbara – on a journey through constantly changing scenarios in urban spaces, natural worlds, and theatrical settings. Fleeting moments of everyday life alternate with theatrical stagings of transsexuality. Like in everyday life with my partner, there is no clearly defined separation between their identities. As a chronicle of the last few years, my particular focus is on the search for inner images. To this end, I do not realize precisely planned visual worlds in my stagings but remain open to the unexpected and provoking chance at best.
