The artist group ‘Der Greif’ (‘The Griffin’) (Simon Karlstetter, Leon Kirchlechner, Matthias Lohscheidt, Claudio Ricci, editorial work: Andreas Bülhoff) functions as an experimental project and discussion platform when dealing with photography and its artistic reception. This discourse takes place in a print magazine of the same name as well as in a digitalized online magazine. The artistic concept discusses the question of authorship and autonomy of an artwork as well as its exploitation. By means of online media photographers from all around the world – no matter if they are professionals or amateurs – may send their pictures to the artist group. ‘Der Greif’ creates an artistic statement comprising picture and text based upon a selection of this randomly formed photo collection. Design, layout and arrangement of these pictures result in said magazine and, by this, remind of a classic artist book regarding its manufacturing method. However, without the internet the artists’ utmost interactive working method would not be possible – and thereby these similar substantial social and cultural changes remind of the invention of the printing press in the 16th century. Only via means of the digital internet platform this parallel and worldwide discourse about the artists’ work, topics and presentation forms becomes possible. Eventually the magazine, published as limited edition, is the concrete artistic product – meaning ‘greifbar’ in German which refers to the same root word ‘Der Greif’, the group’s name.
The artist group ‘Der Greif’ lives and works in Munich and Augsburg.
| Simon Karlstetter |
born in 1985 in Landsberg am Lech, lives and works in Munich and Augsburg. Freelance artist, musician and designer. His artistic work moves back and forth between experimental photography, manual printing technologies, drawings, performance and music. Founder, editor and co-art director of the photography and literature magazine »DER GREIF«. |
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Leon Kirchlechner |
born in 1985 in Munich, lives and works in Augsburg. Freelance artist and photographer. His first monograph »Nowhere« has been awarded with the Deutsche Fotobuchpreis (German Photobook Prize) 2014. Founder, editor and co-art director of the photography and literature magazine »DER GREIF«. |
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Matthias Lohscheidt |
born in 1986 in Cologne, lives and works in Augsburg. Studied philosophy at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU); worked as film director for numerous short movies. Freelance media artist and programmer. Founder, editor and co-art director of the photography and literature magazine »DER GREIF«. |
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Claudio Ricci |
born in 1986 in Munich, lives and works in Vienna and Augsburg. Worked for several SMEs between 2009 and 2013. Currently managing director of the photography and literature magazine »DER GREIF«. Producer for freelance dance and theater Ensembles. |
