Sonja Braas, forces

Sonja Braas, a German artist based in New York, explores the representation of nature in her work. In her series "Forces," she focuses on nature's violent and destructive powers rather than idyllic landscapes. The large-format images feature roaring waterfalls, foamy water masses, crashing ice chunks, and eroding rocks, captured from close range as if the camera were placed amidst the chaos. Braas effectively conveys the strength and energy of these untamed natural dramas, making them both visible and nearly audible. However, the authenticity of this nature is called into question. Subtle hints and surreal lighting effects reveal that some elements of the imagery are simulated. In "Forces," the energies depicted encompass not only "pure" nature but also a hyper-reality, showcasing an artistically enhanced version of the natural world. Braas was born in 1968 in Siegen, Germany, and began her studies in Visual Communication and Photo-Film Design at the Fachhochschule Dortmund in 1991. She continued her education at the School of Visual Arts in New York, supported by a Fulbright scholarship, and earned her diploma in 1997. The book was published in conjunction with the exhibition "Forces" at the Städtische Galerie Wolfsburg in 2004 and includes contributions from Susanne Pfleger and Thomas Seelig. It features 33 full-page color images and is available in both German and English.