Ana Bathe
Ana Bathe is a Belgrade-born, Berlin-based autodidactic artist. Drawing inspiration from various forms of art and by assuming the roles of subject, photographer, painter, sculptor, set and costume designer in her work, she is able to produce works that give her philosophies a visual body – often unconventional in form and matter.
“I fell in love with the process of preparing and taking self-portraits about 10 years ago, and since then I have been able to continuously morph into various characters and while constructing alternate realities.”
To bring these characters into life even more, Ana began recording videos of them and experimenting with performances.
“The idea of blurring lines of separation and merging these different types of art is very alluring to me. I’m an endlessly curious being and I find it a great way to nourish and satisfy this appetite through constant exploration and research.”
Behind Ana’s Work
What inspired you to get into the arts and did you have any influential role models?
“One of my earliest “WOAH” art memories was walking through a museum with my dad, when I was maybe 6 years old, and being completely overwhelmed by a marble statue of a veiled woman. I could not understand how it was done, how her features could still shine through the marble veil, how I felt personally approached and could not look away. It felt like some beautiful magic that I could not comprehend fully. I often remember that moment still.
But I was absolutely awful in art classes, we were always asked to draw some saints, easter eggs, hands etc, and I never could. And then I discovered dramatic arts in high school, theatre changed everything and I finally felt like I belonged.
I love love love Anne Brigman, Claude Cahun, Tim Walker, Shadi Ghadirian, Floria Sigismondi, Maya Deren, just to name a few.”
You describe yourself as a ‘Post contemporary alchemist’ can you briefly elaborate on that?
“I like the poetry of being your own alchemist, creating, experimenting, always playing with some new work material in order to create imaginary worlds, through personal rituals. Pouring different elements together.
I’m a very ritualistic and intuitive person and I am guided by my senses so I make sure my atelier reflects that.”
Air Ship Sailor - Ana Bathe
What motivated the thematics/ideas of your video piece ‘Changeling’? Does it have to do with shifting identities and the ever-evolving self?
“I think at some point in life I took the role of adapting to new environments as a core aspect of my being. I’ve immigrated twice by the time I was 22, once to escape war and its long term consequences and the second time to follow my heart’s desire. So over time, I think I’ve accumulated this octopus-like agility and ability to change. Looking back, this must have easily seeped into my work as I continue to morph and create these surreal worlds. But also, as you said, the ever-evolving self. The idea of change is something that definitely keeps resurfacing in my work, possibly due to having experienced such massive changes in life early on, I’ve learned that everything changes, and sometimes overnight. Which is both beautiful and sometimes unsettling.”
Could you describe the motivation of your recent photo series?
“My current project Portals plays with the idea of Scientific Magic-the process of change that occurs in our earthly nature and beyond in the endless depth of the universe. I aim to playfully blend them with mythology, in order to summon glimpses into other realms of possibilities. Those arcane glances then reflect the project’s title, they are my Portals.
I make everything by hand, each set piece, each prop, prosthetic and mask, as well as analogue special effect pieces. Ultimately the project aims to fuse photography, performance and other visual arts into one, resulting in an ongoing assembly of imaginary worlds.”
Untitled - Ana Bathe
The references to Romulus/Remus, otherworldly, surreal, fantastical scenescapes really stand out. You seem to create a new reality that you draw inspiration from. Is it inspired from historical context, potential futures, alternate realities, combinations of all, none of the above?
“All of the above! I am wildly inspired by all the things you mentioned, from quantum physics to ancient mythology and the natural world. I aim to fuse all these various driving forces in order to create images that can be seen as otherworldly. I think we are surrounded by an endless source of inspiration in the world, from sacred geometry, deep sea life, mycology; art and math really do surround us, so it’s fun to explore those things and let my imagination run wild. Some works derive more inspiration from nature, while others are strongly inspired by mythology, such as Before Romulus, Before Remus.”
“I was inspired by the Capitoline statue, of the she wolf suckling the ‘founders of Rome’ and wanted to reimagine her through my own lens, without the twins, powerful in her own way, a human wolf hybrid. A glimpse of her just dancing.”
Any other interesting facts/information we should know about you?
“My atelier in Berlin is in a room in a hotel that used to be a phone factory; I revel in daily 70’s sci-fi vibes.”
Before Romulus Before Remus - Ana Bathe
Changeling by Ana Bathe
Model, Make-up, Set-Design, Camera: Ana Bathe