Meet the Artist // Rafał Wysocki

Can you give us an introduction to yourself and your practice?

I studied industrial design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. I wanted to connect two worlds: art and function. When you create something useful, you also give it an artistic aspect. I thought about focusing solely on art instead of trying to create something useful, because art gives you more freedom. When you do design, it can bring a lot of joy, but you have to follow some rules.

And how did you get into photography?

I used photography as an extension of my vision, looking for images that could inspire my drawing and painting. I never delved deeply into photography because I saw it as a tool to capture images. Later, I started to view the camera as something that can transfer your vision from reality to your computer, where you can see it later. That made me realize I could be a creator, which led me to explore photography more deeply. For me, it was a long journey from trying to preserve moments to creating images through photography.

And how long do you work with photography?

It’s not that long. For a long time I have been taking photographs, but the conceptual part came just a few years ago.

What fascinates you about photography right now? What are you trying to achieve with your work?

I think that’s a good question. I believe you can capture a part of what surrounds you and convey a feeling of the moment. I was doing night photography in Warsaw with a small camera, just walking and taking photographs. I combined some of these photos, reflecting and attaching them to each other, which created strange figures and light objects. It was about finding unexpected images in things we pass by without noticing. I also took some photographs of people with a bit of movement. This comes from the idea that I’m not capturing the exact moment; I’m creating it. I try to make the faces in my photographs more universal rather than personal. So, that’s what I was doing in Warsaw. At the same time, I was exploring other photography projects and didn’t limit myself to just night photography.

Can you tell a bit more about your experience here in Berlin so far? Does the city affect your work?

The idea behind choosing Berlin was that it’s close to Poland and Warsaw, yet very different. It’s not far away, but it offers a completely new experience. Berlin is much larger in scale than Warsaw. When you move around Warsaw or its surroundings, you start seeing the same things over time. I believe, as a photographer or artist, you need to explore different places and experience moments of surprise. Even if things change in the place you see every day, you tend to stop noticing them.

I felt like I needed to leave Warsaw for a while because I had been there for too long. Berlin seemed like the best option for me because this was a good opportunity to experience something new without going too far. At the same time, I didn’t know what to expect, which made it exciting. Even if we think something doesn’t influence us, it still does, because we take in images and they start working inside us. I see Berlin as some kind of puzzle to be solved. When you go out, it might be the worst time for photography if you’re looking for light, but it’s also a challenge. I think you can confront this challenge and create something out of it.

And how’s your experience living in the residency with other artists?

It’s different because, at home, I’m surrounded by people I know, and I divide my time between work and projects. Here, it’s all about focusing on the project. It’s a great experience to see how far I can go with it. I also appreciate the communication with other artists here; it’s an important part of the experience.

Who are some of your favourite artists or artists who have influenced your work?

Maybe David Lynch. He passed away recently. To me, he’s an inspiration as an artist. I see him as a visual artist, and what I like about his work is that it doesn’t matter if he’s painting, writing, or directing—his art is coherent. I think it’s about the possibility of expressing yourself without being limited to one medium. That’s what I like about his art. It’s not just about the camera; you can expand beyond it. You are not limited to your camera. And it’s not your God. People think, “Oh, this is my tool,” but you can expand beyond it. I see that in David Lynch’s work.