Born in Szklarska Poreba, Poland, in 1977, Lukas Biederman now lives and works in Worclaw. Lukasz Biederman’s Polish land- and city-scapes convey the cold and the solitude of his home country, but, more importantly, they also show this unique beauty to the rest of the world.
The city sleeps documents small-town Polish streets at night. The empty pavements, and the peculiar lighting reveal the calm and magic of the late hour when almost everyone is asleep…
5 questions to Lukasz Biederman about his series
Gwen Lafage: Why did you choose this subject?
Lukasz Biederman : Polish landscapes and city-scapes seem especially beautiful to me, and I would like to share them with people from other countries.
G.L.:What do you see when you look at these photos?
L.B.: Mostly I feel the cold and the solitude. Deep in my heart I actually like this frame of mind, maybe because it is the opposite to what I feel in my everyday life.
G.L.: What research and production did you go through to make these images?
L.B.: I had only to understand the hidden beauty of the Polish landscape. I did not have to arrange anything — the pictures simply show the places I come across in my everyday life.
G.L.: Do your images help the viewer understand the subject in a new way?
L.B.: I hope the viewer can feel the specific beauty coming from this pictures, even though these cityscapes really seem to depict sad places.
G.L.: What did you learn by making these images?
L.B.: I realized that winter is one of my favorite seasons.
5 questions for Lukasz Biederman
G.L.: What is the one thing that gets you out of bed in the morning?
L.B.: A cup of coffee definitely.
G.L.: What would be your perfect day?
L.B.: I have to admit that almost every day of my life seems perfect (or at least close to). I feel happy and maybe only wish to have a bit more time for taking pictures.
G.L.: What is the longest trip you ever took to make a photo?
L.B.: I often drive for hours before I stop the car and take a picture. I don’t remember what was the longest trip, but I do not regret any of them — even when I did not take a single picture. I love traveling with the purpose of taking a picture.
G.L.: What was the hardest image you ever had to make?
L.B.: Many of the night shots were really hard to take: Empty streets in the late hours did not allow me to feel safe and relaxed. But, in fact, I believe my hardest picture is still waiting for me somewhere in the future.
G.L.: What is your favorite thing about being a photographer?
L.B.: Photography is the best way I can share my deepest feelings with other people, I could not do it in any other way.
“Poland” and “The city sleeps”
Lukasz Biederman
Until March 29, 2012
Carte Blanche
973 Valencia st.
San Francisco, Ca 94110
415.821.1055
“Poland” and “The city sleeps”
a solo show by Lukasz Biederman
Until March 29, 2012
Carte Blanche
973 Valencia st.
san Francisco, Ca 94110
415.821.1055
