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Surrender
Nora Bruchertseifer
SURRENDER is the photographic visualisation of Nora Bruchertseifer's journey of self-discovery and -therapy. The project deals with the question of a positive influence on self perception through self portraiture.
The excessive practice of capturing the self in photos has lead to the constitution of a photo book that shows Nora's head in various perspectives and is structured to be flipped through from left to right. Through photographing herself in the same setting and with similar facial expressions, the format of a book creates a typology which invites the viewer in and leads them to go through the expressed emotions and moods with her.
The book is accompanied by a series of photos that encapsulate Nora's ongoing relationship with herself in which she surrenders to her lifelong fight against herself and the appearance of her body, resulting in more self-acceptance.
Nora Bruchertseifer
Nora Bruchertseifer was born in 1996 in Münster, Germany and discovered her love for taking photos early on. After getting involved in music photography in 2015, studying Scandinavistics for two years and living abroad for some time, she decided to turn her passion into her job by starting her studies at UE in 2018.
Ever since, she's been actively pushing the social life at UE by leading the Welcome Buddies, a student initiative organising social gatherings for new students, as well as pushing her own creative boundaries. Exploring different photographic genres throughout her studies has lead to a manifestation of music and portrait photography as her main fields of expertise.
Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
Hopefully in my Nordic summer cottage by some lake with my (yet non-existent) dogs and cats. At this point I'm just hoping to still feel the same joy I get from doing certain things, so yeah, being mentally stable would be nice.
What is a good design for you?
Something that gets me thinking/feeling something.
What was the most challenging experience during your studies?
Layouting photo books. Finding it difficult to be artsy/keep being motivated among all the artists when I come from this music photography background. And oh yeah, there was a pandemic, which sucked my will to live out of me.
Who or what inspires you?
Music and its makers. Other photographers that are already living my wildest "touring with bands" dreams.
How do you approach a new project?
Brainstorm while listening to music. That always sets the flow in motion.
What advice would you give to students who just started studying in your programme?
Be curious, go to every possible exhibition and lap up every piece of other people's work that you can get your hands on. Get involved in social life at the uni. Making connections and finding your own group of reliable friends is so so important, especially in the vast and weird orbit that is Berlin. Also, take a break if you feel like you're on the verge of burnout. It's gonna be okay. Seriously.
Have you changed during your studies? How?
I grew sooooo much. As a person. There's definitely a distance between Nora from first semester back in 2018 and Nora who's graduating now after what feels like eternity. Also being head of the Welcome Buddies for 6 semesters left its marks. But in a good way.
Why did you choose to study in your programme?
I've always been obsessed with capturing moments of my life through a camera. I felt it to be a necessary step in order for me to progress and develop my skills.
What are you not going to miss in your studies?
Academic responsibilities and the cafeteria's vending machine.
How are you going to celebrate your graduation?
Just by eating a lot of good food, taking care of myself (which moved into the background over the last few weeks), and spending time with people I like and that have been supporting me throughout the last years. A nap maybe too.
