Isabelle Wenzel (1982, Germany) is an artist whose work explores the dynamic relationship between body, space, and the frame of the photographic medium. In the compilation Embodied Spaces, she uses the human body as both the subject and main creator of her Performative interactions. Most of her images are self-portraits and created with the use of the autotimer of the camera. Her approach emphasises movement and physicality, allowing the body to become an active participant in the creation of the photograph. But also questions what it does mean to look at ones own body and present that one to the public. Each image captures an improvised moment of trail and error, where the body shapes and defines the space, it inhabits.

In Isabelle’s photographs, the body is sometimes presented openly to the viewer, engaging directly with the audience, while at other times it is obscured, retreating within itself. This contrast invites viewers to consider the tension between looking and being looked at and how we connect or not connect — with others.

In addition to the body, Isabelle or her subjects sometimes incorporates well selected objects into her photographs, adding layers of interaction and meaning. Whether it is balancing papers, hiding her head in a bucket, or playing with road markings, these objects become part of the physical dialogue she or her subjects have with their surroundings. The body’s engagement with these items highlights the performative aspect of her work, where posing turns into a play of action for an interplay with the unknown. This exploration of performance is a developing theme in Isabelle’s practice, as she continues to investigate how movement, space, and the act of photographing intertwine.

Ultimately, Isabelle’s work is about capturing the beauty of the present moment, preserving it in a way that feels both intimate and timeless. Each image speaks to the complexity of human existence, the joy of looking, and the subtle interplay between presence and absence.

• More information about Isabelle Wenzel • Paris Photo 2024