FEMINISM The new issue of the online art magazine 44 DEGREES

• NINO HERMAN We are culturally aware of the image of woman as an object in art. whether it be painting , photography or video. An object of desire, sometimes of criticism, and always the aim of the gaze. particularly the male gaze which appropriates the female image and turns it into an object. As a photographer, I am well aware of that, and am intent in not falling into that trap. My efforts are in portraying the woman as a subject, as an individual with a personality of her own, as I do with all my models. Before I take a photograph I try to get to know the person, gaining her trust and ensuring her dignity. Our conversation before shooting any picture neutralizes any notion of transforming her into a mere "picture". Before me stands a personality with wishes, taste and feelings of her own. As always in my work, whether it be a male model or a female model, I am interested in the human being beyond the gender.

The courage to dare to open my heart and touch people and life without barriers is what I would say characterizes my personality and my wish. My art deals with people: their life conditions, their existential situation, their feelings and their relationships with others. In my photography this is linked to my need to deal with aspects of freedom, barriers and authority.

I am interested in exposing the vitality and the mistery that lies in everything.

I use digital, non-manipulated, unstaged mode of photography to express my art.

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