Following my photo book commission in Vietnam 2013 (TP. HCM Mega City).  I had the pleasure to be called again for another photo book, this time in Ha Noi.

In 3 weeks I photographed over 40 individual people and families in their homes or at work and asked them about their personal relationship to Ha Noi. The outcome is forming one chapter in this book, which otherwise documents the recent developments of the historical Capital City in Vietnam.



For my chapter ('The people of Hanoi') I wanted to take a closer look behind the facade and explore how people use their personal space. This gave me the opportunity to gather a fascinating insight into homes and workplaces from rich to poor, from younger to older generations and from migrants to those who lived here all their lives and helped to shape this city.

The book is sponsored and supported by Goethe Institute Hanoi and will be published beginning of 2015. More information will follow in time.

Issue No 3 (‘Creativity’) is about to emerge!!! Soon you will find this new magazine on Fitzrovia at selected newsagents and cafes local to its neighborhood.

But before you can read these stories (written by Kirk Trueman), be invited to join the launch event, which is happening on Thursday, 23 October, 6.00pm - 9.00pm

Venue: 'The Kings Canary'
81 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 6RQ

I am also proud to announce that the magazine is holding two of my photo essays, including the cover picture of Shabnam Esl, a very gifted fashion designer. Shabnam draws her inspiration from ancient Persia and her creations are astonishingly beautiful.
My other photo story are about a fashion shop called In-Ku, run by Carin, a lovely lady from New Zealand. Carin is also very creative and her designs are very natural and charming. The footprint of her shop is tiny, but the space is well designed over several floors. Get the 'Fitzrovia Journal' to find out more...

It seems only a short while ago that I spent some highly fruitful time in Vietnam. Perhaps you remember; next to my artist residency I also I had a commission for a chapter in a photo book in Ho Chi Minh City.

Well, I am pleased to announce that I have been invited back. This time I will be working on a photo book in Hanoi, sponsored by 'Goethe Institute' in Vietnam. Once again I will be taking a closer look behind the facade and explore how people use their personal space... The book will be published by the end of this year (wait for further announcements).

With pleasure and joy I would like to announce the wedding of Michael & Lucy, which took place on 24th August in Kentish Town.

This exiting event provided me with an interesting photo opportunity. Video designer & animation director Zsolt Balogh was commissioned to produce a gigantic projection for the wedding reception. Zsolt created 5 superimposed images in total, displayed via 3 projectors against the wall of the entire venue and the effect was absolutely amazing.

The photography for the projection was provided by me (full body shots, see above) and photographer Douglas Cape (close ups). In case you getting inspired in having something like this for your wedding or other special events, you know where to find us... :)

With joy and anticipation, I started a new series: for the coming weeks I will be working on a set of playing cards - based on real life observations and modern ways of communication...

My creative partners are Michael Phootch, owner of the legendary hair saloon and gallery Flaxon Phootch, his hair styling colleague Sophia Eltayeb and the wonderful make-up artist  Mary Ellen Lamb.

Almost all models are clients and friends from the fan club of the hair saloon, demonstrating the skill set of Michael (King of Kentish Town, see picture) and Sophia. However, we are still short of one king... Any brave takers?

Watch this space!!! There will be an exhibition in December, just in time before Christmas. Pop in and see for yourself: this is not just a hair saloon!!!

Further announcements will follow shortly.

East End based Gallery320 will be presenting a photography group show in participation of London’s PHOTOMONTH festival (October - November 2012)

Opening party: Thursday, 02.10.14, 6pm - 9pm
Gallery opening times: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm
Closed on Thursdays and Sundays

Venue: Gallery320 at 320 Bethnal Green road Entrance via Voss Street),
Bethnal Green, London E2 0AG

Astrid's chosen image for the show is called 'Cleaning Up (the Economy)'. The photograph is inspired by the painting 'American Gothic', created in the 1930's during the worlds last big recession. All clothing in the picture has been created out of cleaning cloth.

As every year, the members of the Greenwich group of LIP are showcasing their work at Greenwich Gallery.

This year I am showing one of my images from my work in Vietnam’, which was created during a 2month residency. The image is depicting ‘Sam, the peanut farmer’.  However, there are more images from that series which I would love to show. In case you know of a venue, please get in touch… Here are the images from ‘Farmers’ (Made in Vietnam).

‘Venue: The Greenwich Gallery at 
Linear House

Peyton Place, London SE10 8RS
 


Opening times: Monday to Friday: 9am - 5.30pm and

Saturday to Sunday: 1pm - 5pm

The private view is open for all and takes place on Saturday, 4th August 2014 from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

The series ‘Farmers' has been created in honour of micro food production households and features people who are physically involved in growing or producing food from their homes and gardens. We often forget how labour intensive it is to produce what we eat. Especially in the Western world the connection between food and nature seems to get lost. Therefore I visited small-scale farmers and family run production businesses and took portraits of people with their products in order to re-establish a relationship with the origin of food provisions. The series will be continued in Hanoi from October 2014 and in Senegal from January to March 2015.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce a new magazine? This is actually issue no.2 already, but it only appeared on the readers table this year and is distributed only in Fitzrovia.

I also wish to announce, that the magazine was holding three of my photo essays, including the cover picture of Ezra Axelrod, a young and critically-acclaimed American singer-songwriter.

My other two stories are about Mathew Sturgis, an author, historian and biographer, and Jason Morell, an actor, who has recently been acclaimed to be the director of the 'Dylan Thomas' festival in Fitzrovia, scheduled for October.

The launch event of issue no.2 (‘Modernity’) is happening at:
Venue: 'Rebecca Hossack Gallery', 2A Conway Street, 
London W1T 6BA
Time: Thursday, 3 July, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Fitzrovia Journal will return in October with issue no. 3, which runs under the topic of ‘Creativity’. You will find more of my essays in there, watch this space...

Announcement: the series ‘Farmers’ has been awarded as Highly Commended by the London Photographers Association. The LPA is running its portraiture competition Let's Face It for the 10th time, and Astrid has already been honored in other LPA competitions in previous years.

The series can be seen at:http://www.astridschulz.com/farmers/

About the images: ‘Farmers' (from ‘Made in Vietnam’) has been created during a 2month residency at New Space Art Foundation in Hue, Central Vietnam. During the residency Astrid was exploring the subject of food. The series ‘Farmers’ has been created honor of micro food production households and features people who are physically involved in growing or producing food from their homes and gardens. Astrid wishes to support the values of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which declared the International Year of Family Farming 2014.

For the first time the series 'Hairdressers' will go on show as a set. All twelve will be hanging for one month inside the funky hair saloon Flaxon Ptootch in Kentish Town. The project itself is a collaboration between Astrid and hair & make-up artist Konnie Daniel, who worked wonders on the hair of 12 guys (click here for 'Hairdressers')

Venue: Flaxon Ptootch, 237 Kentish Town Rd, Kentish Town, London NW5 2JT
Opening Times: Mo, Thurs & Fri: 10.30am – 7.00pm
 / Wed: 10.30 to late / Sat: early to 7.00pm / Tuesday & Sunday: closed
Private View: Thursday, 08.05.14, 7.00pm - 10.00pm

‘Hairdressers’ is inspired by the novel Egalia's Daughters in which the protagonists swapped gender based roles. I am questioning our perception on what is regarded as ‘normal’ and what is ‘abnormal’. The sitters look amusing because we do not expect men to go through such treatments, but for women of our society this is perfectly normal. Just wondering: perhaps it’s time for men to get emancipated? Tell me your opinion after you've visited that hair saloon...

The latest issue of fLIP magazine carries the title 'Connections' and is featuring yet another one of Astrid’s stories. After a talk in front of the London Independent Photographers group, Astrid got invited to write a feature story about her experiences in Vietnam during her residency, with focus on her book commission in Ho Chi Minh City.
Click here to read the full story.

fLIP is available at various stockists across London, including the Tate Modern Bookshop, National Portrait, Serpentine Gallery Bookshop, Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop and many more. For further information about the magazine click here.

During my time in Vietnam I had a commission for a photo book in Ho Chi Minh City (by Michael Waibel & Hilbert Henning). In only seven days I photographed between 30-40 individual people and families in their homes or at work and asked them about their relationship to HCMC. The outcome is forming one chapter in this book, which otherwise documents the developments of the vibrant economic metropolis and biggest city in Vietnam.

For my chapter I wanted to take a closer look behind the facade and explore how people use their personal space. This gave me the opportunity to gather a fascinating insight into homes and workplaces from rich to poor, from younger to older generations and from migrants to those who lived here all their lives and helped to shape this city.

The book is published by 'Times Publishing House' and its ISBN No is: 978-604-936-338-2

My personal collection of the images can be seen at: www.astridschulz.com/hcmc/


The launch event will take place in Hanoi on 19 February at 6pm (venue: Goethe Institute Hanoi, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Hanoi, Vietnam). Click here for information.
A second event will be held in HCMC on 23 February at 10am (venue: Salon Van Hoa Cà Phé Thu Bay Lau 1, 19b Pham Ngoc Thach, District 3, HCMC).

fLIP is an independent magazine, which is published three times per year by the London Independent Photographers (LIP). The magazine is the official voice of LIP, which has over 600 members and it aims to support, inspire and inform its readers by featuring members' photographic work with articles that are engaging and entertaining. 


The current issue, no 26, which carries the title 'Character', is featuring four images from Astrid's 'Hairdressers' series. The project was a collaboration between Astrid and hair&make up artist Konnie Daniel, who worked wonders on the hair of 12 guys (click here for 'Hairdressers').


fLIP is available at various stockists across London, including the Tate Modern Bookshop, National Portrait, Serpentine Gallery Bookshop, Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop and many more. For further information about fLIP magazine please click here.

'Haidressers' will be exhibited in May 2014. Information about the venue and the opening event will be anounced shortly...

This time in Hanoi:
Please join us on 07th December at 6pm to celebrate the second show of 'Made in Vietnam'.

This time it will be a very different experience: rather experimental, to say the least. In case you know anyone in Hanoi, please send them to Zone 9 into 9A4 M Studio, Block A, Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam.

The show will be open daily until 14th December 2013. 

Photos from the venue: www.astridschulz.com/zone9/

Proud announcement: my work is coming from Hue to Hanoi! I got invited to by the Vietnamese artist Phương Vũ Mạnh to exhibit 'Made in Vietnam' in his studio space, which is located in Hanoi's most creative hotspot.

Zone 9 has been an abandoned factory – until last year, when it was discovered by some artist and transformed one of the coolest places in town. By now Zone 9 accommodates bars, cafes, fashion shops, restaurants, studios and it is still growing. Some people already compare it to some Art Zones in New York, London or Berlin…

Many people from the creative industries decided to move in, including Phương Vũ Mạnh, who opened up his studio / exhibition space in Block A.

More information will follow shortly...

Venue: 9A4 M Studio, Block A,  Zone 9, Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Opening Times: tbc

Private View: Saturday, 07.12 13, from 6pm - 8.30pm

The exhibition was successfully opened on Friday, 22nd November.

For those who could not be here in Hue, you can see images of the opening event on Facebook (see link below).

Please also look at the exhibition space (without visitors :)



Many thanks to those who came to the party. You can see some images of the Event on this Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/media/openingLeLoi

Announcement: my artist residency in Hue, Central Vietnam, is finally bearing fruits... The preparations for the final exhibition is well on its way.

Venue: New Space Arts Foundation, Upstairs Gallery, 15 Le Loi, City of Hue, Vietnam
Opening Times: Daily, 08.00am – 7.00pm

Private View: Friday, 22.11.13, 5.00pm - 7.00pm 

The whole project is about the celebration of food: I have photographed various types of typical Asian ingredients and printed these images onto object such as plates and stools. Together they will be displayed as a resemblance of Vietnamese dishes.  When it comes to eating, the senses of taste, smell, touch and sight are very closely linked and after visiting this exhibition, perhaps you will look at food differently thereafter...

In the second part of the exhibition I would like to acknowledge those who are directly involved in food production such as small scale farming, fishing and producing of local delicacies, I took a series of portraits in rural areas around Hue (see previous blog).

The aim of this project is to explore the unknown and to stimulate the viewer’s senses. When it comes to eating, taste, smell, touch and sight are very closely linked and after visiting this exhibition, perhaps you will look at food differently thereafter...

For those, who cannot be with me in Vietnam on Friday, 22th November, here are some preview links:
Fruit bowl: http://www.astridschulz.com/fruit/
Farmers: http://www.astridschulz.com/farmers/ 
Hands on: http://www.astridschulz.com/hands/

Please also look at the exhibition space: http://www.astridschulz.com/leloi/

Having been invited by the New Space Arts Foundation (NSAF) in Hue, Central Vietnam, I am currently working in an Artist Residency and slowly making progress with a series of images on 'food production'. 

NSAF is run by twin brothers Thanh & Hai, who are bringing together national and international artist in order to exchange work practices across all fields of creative expressions. 

My time in Hue started on 1st October and I am working towards an exhibition, which opens on 20 November 2013. The exhibition will feature a series of portraits, featuring people who are physically involved with growing or producing Vietnamese food including fishing or life stock keeping (example on the left: 'peanut farmer').

We often forget how labor intensive it is to produce what we eat. Especially in the Western world the connection between food and nature seems to get lost. Therefore I visited small-scale farmers and family run production businesses and took portraits of people with their products in order to reestablish a relationship with the origin of food provisions.

Link for viewing a selection of the images: 'Made in Vietnam - Farmers'

Once again, the image ‘Wanted: Tim Andrews’ is back on the wall, this time as part of a group show in Haslemere. Tim, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, had the urge to turn himself into an art object. In the meantime he has been photographed by over 250 photographers (including Rankin, Harry Borden, Vanessa Winship & Jillian Edelstein). My contribution to this innovating compilation is depicting Tim's love for acting, cinema visits and his childhood dream of becoming a cowboy...

Venue: Haslemere Educational Museum, 78 High Street, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2LA

Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday, 10.00am – 5.00pm

Private View: Friday, 06.09.13, 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Links and directions to Haslemere Educational Museum


Please also read Tim’s blog about the project Over The Hill

Already in its 6th year, the members of the Greenwich group of LIP are showcasing their work at Greenwich Gallery.



Astrid is contributing with her image ‘Cleaning Up (the economy)’, an image that is inspired by the painting ‘American Gothic’ (created in the 1930’s during the worlds last big recession).
 


Venue: The Greenwich Gallery 
Linear House
Peyton Place, London SE10 8RS
 

Opening times: Monday to Friday: 9am - 5.30pm and
Saturday to Sunday: 12pm - 4pm

The private view is open for all and takes place on 8th August 2013 from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.



Back into costume design and very proud in having been involved in an occult mystery film-opera, Astrid would like to introduce an exciting and brand new collaboration by Dutch composer Michel van der Aa and libretto by best-selling author David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas). 

 
The world premiere of the ‘Sunken Garden’ is taking opera to a new level. The show is a combination between life performance, 2D documentary style film inserts and a 3D film backdrop throughout the 2nd half of the opera. On stage, performers (Roderick Williams, Katherine Manley & Claron McFadden) skillfully interact with the 3D screen action, which features additional singers (Jonathan McGovern and Kate Miller Heidke).  

Performances take place at the Barbican from Friday, 12 April to Saturday, 20 April. Afterwards the show will be traveling to Amsterdam’s Holland Festival in June 2013 (already sold out) and in June 2014 the opera will be staged at the Toronto Luminato Festival. Further shows are planed for Spring 2015 at Opera de Lyon.

Pictures of the performance and stills from the film inserts can be seen at the link below:
http://www.astridschulz.com/sunken-garden/

fLIP is an independent magazine, which is published three times per year by the London Independent Photographers (LIP). The magazine is the official voice of LIP, which has over 600 members and it aims to support, inspire and inform its readers by featuring members' photographic work with articles that are engaging and entertaining. 



The current issue, no 23, which carries the title 'Closer', is featuring a series of Astrid's images called 'Hello Stranger'. The images were purposely taken for the magazine and inspired by a movie, which is also called ‘Closer’ (2004 with Natalie Portman as Alice).


fLIP is available at various stockists across London, including the Tate Modern Bookshop, National Portrait, Serpentine Gallery Bookshop, Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop and many more. For further information please click here. 

It gives me great pleasure to announce that the image ‘Cleaning Up’ has just been judged as Highly Commended by the London Photographers Association. The LPA is running its portraiture competition Let's Face It for the 9th time, and Astrid has already been honored in other LPA competitions in previous years.

All winners and finalists can be seen at the link below:
http://www.london-photographic-association.com/

About the image: ‘Cleaning Up (the economy)’ is inspired by the painting ‘American Gothic’, created in the 1930’s during the worlds last big recession. All clothing in the photograph has been created out of cleaning cloth.

In November 2012 Astrid Schulz accompanied two different Non-Government Organizations* (NGO) to rural areas of Viet Nam and documented people's living circumstances. During this insightful journey, reports and risk assessment have been written and success stories documented after aid has been received. Both NGO’s are mainly interested in encouraging individuals in finding solutions for themselves and give support, advice and micro loans to ease their problems.

Viet Nam is currently emerging as one of Asia’s powerful countries, which brings not only social and economic changes, but also many challenges. Like many other countries in this region, Viet Nam is experiencing an increase of climate change issues such as rising seawater. According to the historical disaster database, provinces like Quang Binh and Binh Dinh in Central Vietnam have an average 2.5 disasters per year, usually flash floods caused by heavy rainfall and destruction trough typhoons.

Another problem is caused by the influx of consumerism, which is leading to uncontrolled waste treatment and consequently pollution of the environment. Even though the government has begun to recognize these problems, a lot of help is generated by various NGOs.

*The organizations Astrid was commissioned by are 'Challenge to Change' and 'ENDA Viet Nam'. 

We are almost there: a New Year is approaching. Having said that, this year was actually quite fantastic. For me many exciting things happened in 2012, including the Olympic games of course… But let's not have our memories and enthusiasm get in the way... 2013 will be just as good, if not better.

With an angel by my side (from my last photo shoot this year) I hope that all our wishes come true. Just speak them into existence...

Who is he, that Magic Man? Will he be able to help us with enchanting our lives - or does he need help to entangle his own? If you would like to know a typical day-to-day scenario in the life of a bewitched magician, then come to Davenports Magic Shop and view his tricks through the window.
 


'The Magic Man' is a joined photography project by Philip Philmar and Astrid Schulz, commissioned by Bill Roy from Davenports. The images of wired and wonderful magical moments can be seen Monday to Saturdays, from early morning to 9pm.

We would love you to join us on our opening reception on Tuesday, 16 October 2012, from 6pm - 8.30pm
. Be prepared for surprises!!!

Venue: Lewis Davenport Magic, 7 Charing Cross Underground Arcade at Exit 9, The Strand, London, WC2N 4HZ


Davenports is a magic shop, supplying everything around magic tricks that a real magician desires. You will find magic DVDs, magic tricks, magic books, magic courses and even a magic theatre. The company was established in 1898 by Lewis Davenport, which makes it the oldest magic family business in the world!!!

Attention: Davenports is hidden in the Underground tunnels of Charing Cross tube station. Don’t get lost, call 020 7836 0408 for directions.


As every year, LIP is celebrating outstanding photography of their members in a gallery near the Stand, in the heart of London.

Astrid is contributing with her image ‘Cleaning Up (the economy)’, an image that is inspired by the painting ‘American Gothic’ (created in the 1930’s during the worlds last big recession). ‘Cleaning Up’ is going to be part of a projection in the gallery during the show.

Venue: The Strand Gallery (Proud Central)
32 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6BP

Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 11am - 6pm

The member's private view takes place on 16th October 2012 (6.00pm - 9.00pm)

More information about the image  ‘Cleaning Up’ will be published soon.

 
The Battle of the Toutoburg Forest, also called the 'Varian Disaster' took place in 9 CE. This battle, which was lost by the Romans, probably changed history in Europe forever as the Romans were to make no more attempts to conquer and permanently hold Germania beyond the river thereafter.

Now, 2000 years later, the battle has raised interest again and was topic of major exhibitions in Germany as well as TV reconstructions.

Astrid was lucky to have been commissioned to work on a documentary by a Canadian TV company, which came to the UK for a documentary series. The battle was performed by UK re-enactors, playing Roman soldiers or Iron Age warriors (stills from the film: www.astridschulz.com/varian/).

This series of portraits was made in the forest after the battle and can be seen on Astrid's web portfolio (www.astridschulz.com/warriors).

Gallery320 will be presenting a photography group show in participation of London’s PHOTOMONTH festival (October - November 2012)



Opening party: Thursday, 11.10.12, 6pm – 9.30pm



Opening times: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm
CLOSED: Thursdays & Sundays

Venue: Gallery320

320 Bethnal Green Road (entrance via Voss Street), Bethnal Green, London E2 0AG



Astrid’s chosen images for this show is from the series ‘Holi’. It was taken during the Holi festival in 2010 at the Hare Krishna temple in Hertfortshire, UK. Roopen, the young man in the picture, was one out of many Hindu worshipers, who came into Astrid’s makeshift studio during the festival to have his portrait taken. More images from this series can be seen at Astrid’s web portfolio


CUBO has invited London photographers, video makers and conceptual artists, to help creating this show as vibrant and stimulating as possible. Astrid is proud to be part of this event with several images from 'Food keeps Body and Soul together'.

CUBO is a beautiful cultural gathering spot in the centre of Milan, which is owned by Italy's Ministry of Culture & Arts. Their project (Re)Generation is announced to be the first step into a new cultural movement that will finally lead to regeneration of this centre.

The opening party takes place on Friday, 20.07.12

The Venue: CUBO - via Moscova, 2820100 Milano, Italia

About ‘Food keeps Body & Soul together’: In this series of portraits Astrid is bringing together her passion for food and her career as a costume designer. Before each image concept was developed, most of the sitters were asked about their favourite food. In other pictures the edible item is telling the viewer something about the sitter’s pastime. The resulting images are humorous, bold and distinctive.
 

--> For the course of a year over 200 members of the London Independent Photography group worked on the ‘London Village Project’. The goal was to create a body of work that is identifiable as a unique contribution to the record of London with its multiplicity of communities, its miscellany of histories, its medley of architecture, its boundaries real and imagined, its current creation, its reference to memory...

The project is now completed and will be exhibited, published in a book and presented at the BBC Big Screen (details tbc)

Exhibition venue: Goldsmiths College, 
New Academic Building - exhibition area, 
New Cross, London, SE14 6NW
 
The opening party takes place on Thursday, 02.08.12, 6pm - 8.30pm
 
Astrid’s contribution to the project is called ‘The Wedding Pubs’ and is depicting the events of the Royal Wedding on 29 April 2011. Instead of joining the spectators in the streets, Astrid took her camera into 28 pubs or ‘public houses’ in the borough of Westminster and followed the celebration on various TV screens.

-->

Thanks to Tim Andrews' determination to raise awareness for Parkinson's disease, the group show ‘Over the Hill’ is back on again. This time the exhibition is moving to Southport and ‘Wanted’ (the image on the right) is once again amongst the chosen 54 prints.

Tim, who is a sufferer of Parkinson’s, turned himself into an art object and by now he has been photographed by over 180 photographers (including Rankin, Harry Borden, Vanessa Winship, Jillian Edelstein, just to name a few). With this project he got featured at the BBC Culture Show and the Guardian Weekend Magazine in February 2011.

Venue: Wayfarers Shopping Arcade, Lord Street,
Southport, PR8 1NT
Opening hours: Mondays - Saturdays, 9am - 5.30pm
and Sundays 10am - 5pm. Admission is free

View a video of the event and the featured photographs.

For more information on Tim’s project read 'Over the Hill' or if you wish to support Parkinson's UK by making a donation, please log on to TIMANDREWSOVERTHEHILLSOUTHPORT

-->

Clowns International is the oldest established organisation for Clowns in the World. It was founded in 1946 as a social club for all types of performing Clowns. Its aims include the furthering of the art of clowning, maintaining its history and promoting the art of good clowning throughout the world.

A highlight of Clowns International's calendar is the Joseph Grimaldi Memorial Service; annually held on the first Sunday of February at Holy Trinity, the Clowns Church at Beechwood Road in East London.

Astrid had the pleasure of being invited to photograph the clowns throughout the event. Alas, the night before the service it snowed – and many clowns have been prevented to travel to the event due to bad weather conditions. Nonetheless, the few who made it to East London that day where most entertaining and charming characters...

To honour of the memory of Joseph Grimaldi and all the other clowns please click here.

Do you also wonder where has the time has gone? For some of us the year 2011 has been quite a roller-coaster. Nonetheless, I hope you are – like myself – positively excited to explore what 2012 will bring!


With a Christmas Angel by my side (this is Claire from my last photo session in 2011) I grant a wish to everyone who believes in magic!


But for now I would like to take the opportunity to wish you a great time over the Christmas holidays. Let's add some fun whilst having another cup of tea and perhaps a mince pie: find out what happened 'when Santa came to get his picture taken'

Click and enjoy!!!

Astrid has a new announcement about her ‘Hairdressers’ project: the series has been selected to be written about as part of the Brighton Photo Fringe Open '11 texts project. The articles will be part of the Open '11 Library and will be available and online as downloadable pdfs.

The Open ‘11 events program includes artist talks,  workshops, gallery talks, screenings and projects that generate discussion about the broader context of contemporary photography. All events are part of the Brighton Photo Fringe Open '11 taking place at Phoenix Brighton between 19 November – 18 December 2011.

Opening times: Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm, and late nights every Thursday, until 9pm. All events are free, booking in advance required for some events (full events program and booking details).

Astrid is very proud to announce that four of her images from the series ‘Hairdressers’ have been selected for the LIP members show.

The LIP Annual Exhibition aims to provide a platform for members to exhibit their best work, to be viewed by each other and the general public. This time the selection process was conducted by individual professionals (Bridget Coaker, picture editor at Guardian Newspaper Group & Director of Troika Editions and Mick Williamson, head of photography at London Metropolitan University), who are connected to London's photographic community.

Venue: The Strand Gallery (Proud Central)
32 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6BP
Showtime: 18.10.11 - 29.10.11
Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 11am - 6pm

The members private view takes place on 18th October 2011 (6.30pm - 9.30pm)

‘Hairdressers’ is inspired by the novel Egalia's Daughters in which the protagonists swapped gender based roles. I am questioning our perception on what is regarded as ‘normal’ and what is ‘abnormal’. The sitters look ridiculous because we do not expect men to go through such treatments, but for women of our society this is perfectly normal. Just wondering: perhaps it’s time for men to get emancipated?

Kate, Jess and Astrid are proudly inviting to a Photographic Portraiture Exhibition @ The Underground Gallery,
The Strand, Charing Cross Underground Station Exit 9, London WC2N 4HZ
Gallery opening times: Mo - Sat, 12pm - 6pm

The exhibition is going to be packed with talks and special events. Please put into your diary:

Opening party: Tuesday, 18 October 2011, 6pm – 8.30pm
Evening talk: Confidence and Style: Learn how to deal with changes to your appearance and boost self-confidence during cancer treatment (speaker: Kate Nightingale), Wednesday, 19 October , 6pm – 8.30pm
Afternoon talk: 'Emotional support for patients and their next of kin'. Kate and Jessica share their journey of breast cancer and give their thoughts as to how to keep emotionally strong (guest speaker: Sharon Haliday, Macmillan Cancer Support), Thursday, 20 October , 2pm – 4.30pm
Free photo-session for people affected by breast cancer: get your picture taken by photographer Astrid Schulz, Saturday, 22 October, 12pm – 6pm

Kate’s comment on her images:
'Kate’s Journal’ is a series of portraits that tells my recent journey through breast cancer treatment with a sensitive combination of honesty and subtlety. Astrid has captured my story with great compassion without using any imagery of inherent shock value, in other words, without direct reference to my illness. In this way the viewer senses rather than sees its impact. This is going to be a compelling exhibition with the intention of leaving others empowered and giving a sense of hope to those who undergo life-changing illnesses.

In case you cannot come, 'Kate's Journal' can be found by clicking here

Some weeks ago I was commissioned to take portraits for the band members of 'RUN' plus pictures for their album cover. I must say, these 4 women are so brilliant and unique that I decided to support their upcoming album launch. The songs on this album are exclusively sung in the languages of six Celtic nations, supported by a harp. Truly beautiful. If you wish to get enchanted just like me, please join 'Run' launch event at Camden's music venue 'The Green Note' on 19 September, from 19:00 - 22:30 (plus support band). Booking highly recommended.
The address is: The green Note, 106 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7AN

Please also visit Run’s website

This is an appeal for help to set up a photography exhibition for the ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ in October. We need assistance with marketing & fund-raising.

We, this is myself as the photographer and Kate Sims, breast cancer survivor and the star of my portraiture series, taken during her course of treatment and recovery.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK; 1 in 8 women in the UK will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. We would like to give hope to those affected and raise awareness in collaboration with a charity organization. We are short of £250 for renting a Charing Cross based gallery and for marketing our special events. If you are someone or know of the right person, who is interested in working with us on an extremely rewarding mission, please get in touch and ask for details.

'Kate's Journal' can be viewed here

I am delighted to announce that the project has come to an end – although I am also a bit sad because I enjoyed working on this project tremendously. However, Konnie Daniel, my wonderful friend and excellent hairstylist has now used all her curlers from her collection in various combinations - so this has to be it, I’m afraid.

Special thanks to Dave, Aurelien, Kirk and Martin for their patience and good humour - and also to the London Academy, who kindly allowed us to work in their studio (www.media-courses.com).

The project can be seen at Hairdressers
More information about the series can be found two bogs down.

Again: In Astrid's ‘Hairdresser’ project all characters are fictional. There is very little relationship between the sitter and the suggestions made about them…


The project will be exhibited later in the year. Watch this space...

Tim Andrew’s images are now travelling globally: firstly to the 2nd Guernsey Photography Festival, were Tim’s project ‘Over The Hill’ is on display alongside exhibitions and lectures by renowned international photographers.

Festival opening event: Wednesday, 1 June, 6pm - 8pm, at the Market Square
Exhibition Venue: The Rotunda, Royal Avenue, St Peter Port, Guernsey
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 10.00am - 5.00pm
Special event: Tim Andrews will give a talk on the project on 10th June
Admission: Free


And secondly: as a result of the Impact Art Fair, a small selection of the project has been invited to be on show at a festival in Berlin Lichtenberg: The Long Night of the Pictures (4pm – midnight, 05.06.11). The images are exhibited until Saturday, 16th July.

Venue: Allee-Center (Einkaufszentrum), Landsberger Allee,
13055 Alt-Hohenschönhausen, Berlin, Germany

Opening event: Saturday, 2th July, 5pm - 8pm
Opening times: Mon - Sat, 9am - 8pm
Admission: Free


Reminder about the project: following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, Tim Andrews answered a small advert in Time Out Magazine and was photographed in the nude for a portrait project. Filled with a sense of creativity and liberation, Andrews has spent the last three years sitting for portraits by over 130 photographers including Rankin and Harry Borden.

Please also read Tim’s blog about his project 'Over the Hill'

As a teenager Astrid enjoyed reading a novel called Egalia's Daughter (by the Norwegian Gerd Mjøen Brantenberg) in which the protagonists swapped gender based rolls. One particular scene stuck to Astrid’s mind: men were sitting at a beauty salon, with curlers in their hair and beards. Or waxing of their chest hair, having face masks and so forth… They were gossiping, opening their hearts, socializing, or simply observed their transformation - quietly.

Back to the future, Astrid thought this would be an interesting topic to explore. How do men feel and act when confronted with characteristic female beauty treatment?

Nowadays the beauty industry as a close eye on men, trying to turn them into paying customers. Apparently, male grooming is in fashion (according to the advertising industry). I still recall the 80s, when this was really happening. Many men desired to have their hair permed, inspired by stars like Hollywood actor Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky & Hutch) or Kevin Keegan (when he was young...) or certain bands with big hair, (remember glam rock?). However, men would visit hairdressers rather secretively. The trick is to look ‘natural’ after you are done.

The project can be seen at Hairdressers

Please note: In Astrid's ‘Hairdresser’ project all characters are fictional. There is very little relationship between the sitter and the suggestions made about them…

‘Wanted’, the image of Tim Andrews is back on show, this time as a printed exhibition. Tim, who suffers of Parkinson's disease, had the urge to be photographed by over 130 photographers (including Rankin, Harry Borden, Vanessa Winship, Jillian Edelstein, and many more…) since the onset of his illness. By turning himself into an art object, he got featured at the BBC Culture Show and the Guardian Weekend Magazine in February 2011.

A small selection of this project (including ‘Wanted’) is featured at The Impact Art Fair. Impact profiles work from highly talented artists loosely described as ‘marginalised’ or ‘outsider’ such as those who use mental health services, who have physical disabilities or learning difficulties, who have experience of homelessness or substance mis-use, refugees, long-term unemployed, offenders or ex-offenders.

Venue: Candid Arts Trust, 3 Torrens Street, London, EC1V 1NQ
Opening Times: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 11am - 6pm
Private View: Thursday, 19.05.11, 5pm - 7pm

Links and directions to The Impact Art Fait and Candid Arts Trust

On 29 April 2011 the citizens of the UK, it not the whole world, held their breath and followed the most prestigious wedding of this century so far: the Royal wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton. An estimated one million people lined the streets in London to witness the procession. But not everybody managed to get a good view. For those who missed the highlights, feel free to have a look at these wedding images, which were taken inside 22 of London's favourite entertainment places: the 'Public Houses' in the Borough of Westminster…

Please follow the full event on www.astridschulz.com/wedding-pubs

Round one is completed: Astrid has started a new series. The theme is 'male grooming', a free interpretation of the return of the gigolo... Long hair is in (apparently) and so are beards. It's fun to dress up again and its OK to be sexy!

Astrid's creative partner is the professional and highly talented hair stylist Konnie Daniel, who is the proud owner of a remarkable collection of curlers. Konnie is usually working on feature films and on TV productions as a make-up and hair designer (her impressive CV includes Killing Bono & 28 Days Later).

Special thanks to Chris, Tom, Boaz and Frey for their patience and good humour - and also to the London Academy, who kindly allowed us to work in their studio (www.media-courses.com).

For the second round Astrid and Konnie need new models. Please come forward, if you are a man with long'ish hair - or if you know of any charming men who would enjoy a cheerful photo session for a possible exhibition (all age-groups wanted!).

PLEASE - DON'T BE SHY - GET IN TOUCH: info@astridschulz.com