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The fiction in reality
Friederike Heuer
Friederike Heuer uses fictional illustrations to explore the deep challenge if and where fiction is already part of our reality. Focussing on the German North Sea Coast, she uses Science Fiction (SF) as a heuristic and playful environment to ‘step to the side’ and out of current reality. THE FICTION IN REALITY follows Caroline Pätsch’s concept to utilise SF’s unique advantage and fill the space of fiction with easily reproducible scenarios that embrace the needs of a developing, sustainable society that is built in the shortest possible time while using as limited resources as possible. Friederike Heuer explores how this scenary may look like, however, in the safe and flexible world of SF.
Friederike Heuer
Growing up in a small town, I was brought up to believe that the only way to be of value to society is to persist in an economically relevant, high-paying job. Unfortunately for my parents, I turned out to be an artist since early childhood (yes, although I did an apprenticeship as a BTA, I was best known for personalizing the lab coats of my classmates with impressive drawings ...). On the other hand having been pressed into other professions previously, I had no issues working interdisciplinary throughout my studies at UE - check out my collection of artworks on my personal website! :D
Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
At 44 years old, I could imagine myself in a lot of places... Even though I studied illustration, I'm anything but bound to drawing (a trait my tutors discovered already in semester 1...). I also love creating 3D characters, enivonments and also just visuals for games; animation will always be a big part of my interests, but so do stitching, knitting and crocheting... So wherever I go, I hope, I'll keep surprising the people around me and am allowed to be my gorey, creepy self :D
What is a good design for you?
A good design is something that makes me want to take another look at it, that makes sure I'll think about it for at least the rest of the day and maybe also gets me to the point of creating my own concept drafts based on it... That’s exactly what a good design should be about.
What was the most challenging experience during your studies?
Deciding what exactly you want to focus your energies on - There's so much to do and just so little time and an even smaller portion of motivation (at least when your not living around your motivating study buddies) - OH and the decision / organisation to study abroad or do an apprentenship, that was a very, VERY challenging experience!
Who or what inspires you?
Meeting fellow minded students and artists truly opened my eyes and drove me to go the extra mile! I wished I could pack them in my pocket to always keep them around me for inspiration. On the other hand are grievances very inspiring to make the world a teeny tiny bit better (hopefully) :D
How do you approach a new project?
Hmmmm... Starting a new project isn't the complicated part for me, but keeping the progress going is more of a hurdle. Especially when my weirdly wired brain is amazed by a certain idea, that quickly got discarded and I'm left to work with seemingly boring drafts...
What advice would you give to students who just started studying in your programme?
(Jack Sparrow) Take what ye can! (Mr. Gibbs) And give nothin' back! - the advice I wished I got told! Try to participate in every course and extra programm, try to always give 200%, make sure you’re good with your tutors and find your favourite buddies. You pay a whole lotta' money for this study, so make sure you make the most out of it ❤
Have you changed during your studies? How?
Hell yes! But my past self feels so far in the past that I've forgotten what it felt like to be her…
Why did you choose to study in your programme?
I guess I kind of had a past that somewhat pushed me into art - like when your unable to walk as a child, but your parents want you to be quite, you learn to entertain yourself with what is within your possibilities... And that’s basically the beginning of my never ending story of arts (not only drawing tho).
What are you not going to miss in your studies?
I definitely won't miss waking up at 5AM - not living in Hamburg is truly awful, if you love sleep... And the tuition fees - but I'm sure other expenses will take their place..
How are you going to celebrate your graduation?
As Corona is still around, there won't be many options. But maybe a bottle of wine is a nice add-on for a special day...
4 comments in total
Thanks a bunch for your kind words! It seems like my perfectionism has a valid reason to be this prominent :D
The attention to detail you put into your work can simply not. be. beaten. I'm always stunned by how uniquely fascinating and wonderful your illustrations are and hope to see your work in so much more in the future! I'm so glad to have been able to work with you throughout our studies and learn so much from you <3
Aaaaahhh danke Tessa!!! Schön das meine Mühe in meinem Projekt sichtbar sind (hoffentlich), dann hat sich der Ärger ja gelohnt :D ❤❤❤
Fantastische Arbeit! :D Deine realistische Ausarbeitung und alle Theoriekenntnisse, die du in dein Projekt hast einfließen lassen sind extrem beeindruckend!