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[ September 06, 2001 ]
During her first trip to America 11 years ago, Claudia Goetzelmann discovered America by driving coast to coast, taking pictures along the way. "Without observation, learning is impossible," says the German-born photographer, who has lived and worked all around the world, and who now calls San Francisco home. The logo for Goetzelmann's company, k23, reflects that need to record: It's an old Tao sign featuring a big eye on two legs, symbolizing the means to see, or "jian." "I really think that's me, observing and capturing," Goetzelmann says, "and the look of the logo, a camera and a tripod."
Two and a half years after being based out of Indonesia Goetzelman moved to Singapore, where work opportunities were more advertising based. Not to mention challenging, like hanging off the roof of a 47-story Having established herself as a big fish in a small pond, Goetzelmann welcomed the challenge of moving to San Francisco. "It's art so it reflects where you are," she says. "It's always changing, moving, growing in new directions. There's a pattern to it and if you've done it once it will be easier to do it again. You leave at a certain level so you don't start over; you just pick up where you left off. Every country has a different way to communicate, conduct business, interact." How did you get your first job and who are some of your clients? I called agencies, publications and introduced myself, showed my book around. One thing leads to another. Some of my clients are: Olgivly and Mather, Saatchi & Saatchi, MTV, Duetsch Bank.
Well, no, I did a job for Siemens AG Technology and Transmissions. The assignment was to travel with a surveyor along the Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodian borders, areas, which at this time, had only been accessible with special permits. The hills we climbed were unaltered since the Vietnam War. We had to be careful of landmines. The images were used for presentation and sales.
Is where you are now where you envisioned yourself to be?
I like to look through books but I don't have one particular influence. I mean everything could be an influence. I think it's really where you are in your mind and soul. Tricks of the trade? I like to play with the camera in the darkroom. But there is no formula to it. I like to use Polaroid film. I like to use different variations of film. I don't stick to one type. It's an ever evolving process. What do you do for inspiration? Read books. Go for walks. And go running, which I think is very mind opening. I get a lot of ideas when I run. There is no specific thing. I'm always working on personal projects so there is always something. I think it's very important that you keep a balance of both the visual and words.
 The future? To keep going where I'm going. To find my place here, my spot in this market. Maybe recognition of some sort. Learn, evolve, and grow.
- Contributed by Mary Beth Holland >> See other member spotlights on the artist spotlight index >> Find out more on how to become an altpick.com member |
tower to shoot straight down to capture the biggest fountain in Asia. "There wasn't a harness. There was a carabiner hook, and I was leaning over the roof out to my knees. When I was looking through the camera it wasn't that bad, but I had nightmares after that," Goetzelmann says. For two weeks she collected angles and views of a four-tower complex for SUNTEC Corp., a Singapore-based architectual firm. Shooting with medium and large-format cameras, Goetzelmann used Kodak EPP, explaining that it works well as an outdoor film in Asia's light. Preferring intense colors, she shoots mostly with a four by five. "I like the control you have, what you can do with the camera. It can take you right in," she says. 
