Concentrating on the essential
It depends on the context whether a phrase is a phrase or simply describes something very accurately. The latter is true when it comes to Lukas Hoffmann’s “concentration on the essential.” In numerous respects, his pictures show the moments of tilt between macro- and microscopic views, between images and copies, and between yesterday and today. Or, as he puts it: “I like the moment of ambiguity.” And that is what he focuses on.
A deliberate approach
Lukas Hoffmann lives and works in Berlin. He takes his pictures in daylight – “artificial light makes a lot of things look flat and dead” – with an analogue large-format camera. His work is therefore arduous and weather-dependent, forcing him to take a well-planned and deliberate approach. He spent two days at each of the EEW sites in Heringen (in the state of Hesse) and Premnitz (in the state of Brandenburg). The term “transformation” plays an important role for EEW – just as it does for Lukas Hoffmann – although in a different interpretation, as the photographer explains: “The collaboration with EEW changes my work. The company gave me access to places that would otherwise be behind locked gates. This enhances my work. At the same time, the people at EEW get a different view of their company, which might change their image of EEW.”
Career highlights
Hoffmann was born in 1981 in Zug, Switzerland, and studied fine art at École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His works have been shown in numerous solo and group exhibitions as well as photography festivals and trade shows. They can be found in private and public collections across Europe. The Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris recently purchased some of his works. In addition, he has won prizes and fellowships for his work.