Around 31 and Cape moods for broken bodies

An exhibition by Katharina Fröschl-Roßboth in Skotið at Reykjavík Museum of Photography.

In the exhibition Austrian photographer Katharina Fröschl-Roßboth shows two series. Around 31 and Cape moods for broken bodies.

Around 31 took it´s starting point during a residency program at Bær Art Center in June 2016. The relaxed stereotype of role models in Iceland inspired the photographer to focus on female life plans. She was 31 years old. It is an age you stop describing yourself as young although nobody would consider you old. You have tried out a lot and face endless possibilities. But suddenly there occurs a peak. The fear of commitments is a dilemma of the photographer´s generation; adulthood is often related to the feeling of loss of flexibility. Decisions of combining family and profession, or determine for one of each burden women in that age. Obviously, you start to witness the gender gap sometimes for the first time. Existing female role models are not diverse enough, simultaneously the possibilities manifold. The series shows women around 31 living their individual life plans. Pictures ask for what moves them and how they define their roles as women in society.

Cape moods for broken bodies consists of 16 photographs of the same cape situated in Höfðaströnd. The moods in the surroundings are variable, as are the moods of the photographer. During the journey to Iceland her Hasselblad camera body broke, she had to repair it with what material was available. Looking through the unbroken lens and the rebuild body she took digital pictures of what the new construction showed her. The use of transparent paper and backlight-film emphasise the fragility, the repetition of the subject is an indication of the photographers fear of taking alien perspectives when searching for new ways of storytelling.

Katharina Fröschl-Roßboth studied Photography and Audio-Visual Media, as well as Theatre, Film and Media in Vienna. After working in retouching, casting, stage direction and camera and light assistance in Austria and New York, she became a freelance photographer in 2008. Many of her images have been published in daily newspapers and magazines. Since 2017 her work is distributed by Anzenberger Gallery. Her recent photographic exhibitions in Iceland, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria and Lithuania and a book project feature portraits embedded in long-term projects.

Her everyday professional life gives her cherished opportunities to discover new places, meet unique people and learn about different cultures and ways of life.