Fritz Liedtke’s Astra Velum is being displayed in the Blue Sky gallery in Portland, Oregon from November 3-27, 2011. Astra Velum is a portrait series of freckled women and girls. Liedtke’s collection is displayed in a small room, separate from other sections of the gallery. The show features 19 hand-printed photogravures on Rives BFK with a chin colle of Kitikata. Each print is 6x8” on 11x14” paper, and is displayed on the wall in a simple, wood frame.
Each image portrays the bust or face of a young, freckled woman. The age of the models varies, but none of the models are very old, and a few seem very young, specifically “Celine,” “Davinci,” and “Melia.” The titles of the prints are based in some way off of the featured models. Most of the women are nude or nearly nude; any clothing that does appear is very minimal. In one print, a woman wears only a fox fur collar. Some of the women have very obvious tattoos and piercings. In “Emily,” the model has water droplets on her face. The backgrounds are either black or very blurred. The prints are dark and sepia colored, with a selective focus, usually on the models’ eyes. In “Alisha,” there is such a sharp difference in focus between the model’s head and body that her head seems disconnected. The prints are intensely detailed; the models’ freckles and veins are so sharply contrasted with the skin that they appear to be painted on. In two of the prints—“Erica” and “Clements”—the models’ eyes are closed, and the veins in the eyelids are emphasized. In two other prints—“Ella” and “Georgia”—the models are looking away from the camera. In the rest of the prints, the models look directly into the camera. Their expressions range from challenging to pleading, but none of the models are smiling outright.
Astra Velum focuses strongly on the idea of identity. Liedtke’s prints emphasize the identity of each model: the shared identity of being a woman with freckles, as well as each woman’s personal identity. Liedtke achieves this both through the display of the show and the composition of the individual prints. The separate, secluded room makes the viewer feel like they are in a close environment with the models. The viewer feels more of a connection to the women than if the prints were displayed in a larger room. In addition, the prints are displayed at eye level, making the viewer feel as if they are interacting with the models directly. The focus on the models’ eyes draws attention to their facial expressions. The viewer, enclosed in the gallery space with these women, is confronted with the models’ emotions. There is also the sense that these prints present an unfinished narrative; the viewer is confronted by the models and their often fierce expressions, but is left to conjecture about the models’ stories.
Liedtke’s portrait series also examines the theme of “the body.” Liedkte chose to photograph women with freckles. Liedtke explains in his artist statement, “While many people view freckles as an aberration or blemish, my response is the opposite. I find them enchanting, unique, even exotic” (“Astra Velum”) He opted for hand printed photogravure to best express the textures in freckled skin. Liedtke explains, “handmade photogravures seemed the perfect medium for a series which, at its essence, explores the beauty of surface textures: human skin and its freckles and scars, like a thin veil of stars” (“Astra Velum”). I became a little skeptical of Liedtke’s work when I realized that all of the women portrayed in Astra Velum are young; I doubt than any of the models are older than 35 or so. This, combined with the fact that most of the models are naked, brought to my mind the idea of the male gaze. After all, men can have freckles too, as can old women. Yet, Liedtke chose to portray only young women and girls. In Liedtke’s defense, the series is not completely based on the objective male gaze. Though the women seem to be nude, they are only shown from the shoulder up, and in most cases, everything but the model’s face is blurred. There is a clear focus on the women’s identities. The women are not completely objectified; rather the viewer becomes almost painfully aware that the women have emotions, stories, and struggles of their own. However, Liedtke homogenizes these women by portraying them in very much the same way. It seems as if they are being portrayed as an exotic species. Thus, the “body” becomes as much of a focus as “identity.”
Overall, Astra Velum is a worthwhile exhibit to visit. My main complaint is that Liedtke’s examination of these young, freckled women seemed too representative of the male gaze, mainly because he photographed only young, nude women. However, the exhibit clearly places a larger focus on the women and their identities. In relationship to “the body,” Liedtke focused on women with freckles, a characteristic that is often considered a blemish. Liedtke’s hand printed portrait series successfully reveals the beauty in the so-called blemish.
Works Cited
Liedtke, Fritz. “Astra Velum.” Fritz Liedtke. November 20, 2011. <http://fritzphoto.com/arts/portfolios/astra-velum/>
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