honorable mention
Fabian Kochendoerfer germany
Photo © Fabian Kochendoerfer
title
Spring Dream
Using vintage Polaroid cameras and rare expired instant film, he transforms fleeting moments like butterflies into reflections of reality, moments of infinity, and truth.
Embracing the risks of expired film, he intentionally creates unique, unpredictable tones, producing a cinematic, film-like quality and a vintage atmosphere impossible to achieve digitally.
His art embodies his discoveries:
“The world is just an illusion. Life is a dream. Wake up and know yourself!”
“The universe has beauty in abundance, and consciousness to witness it. My art is a reminder of this truth.”
“In search of truth and what’s real, I scratch the surface and discover that there is ‘nothing’ behind it. Now I peel off the skin of reality to reveal the matrix and show that the world is just an illusion. I manually edited my instant film, literally scratching the surface, to make this philosophical and spiritual truth visible through my images.”
Capturing delicate subjects on instant film is extraordinarily challenging. Fabian composes each shot with patience, turning fleeting moments into timeless, contemplative images that merge technical mastery with artistic intuition.
His photography has earned international recognition, including nominations and awards from FAPA, MIFA, IPA, ND Awards, PX3, and TIFA. Exhibitions include shows alongside Art Basel, Art Basel Miami, and the Venice Biennale.
He holds a Diploma from the Merz Academy, Stuttgart, Germany, and a Master of Arts from the University of Portsmouth, England.
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entry description
Nature - especially in the spring - has always been a source of inspiration for my art. I feel connected to life and to the beauty of the universe. I see and feel the innocent and peaceful nature of life - of existence itself. This deep beauty has a stillness to it. The truth is silence. I can see and feel this silence when being in nature. I absorb it and it absorbs me. There is this feeling of oneness with nature - oneness with everything. This oneness makes me feel at home. It makes me feel sane and alive - like I am in the right place where I belong. I stop internally. My mind stops or quiets down. There is no more need to go anywhere - to be some place else - to be someone else. There is full acceptance in the present moment - exactly like it is. No complaining. No wishing it would be better or different.about the photographer
Fabian Kochendoerfer is a pioneering instant film artist since 2000, developing a distinctive style that makes visible the truths he discovered through philosophical and meditative insight.Using vintage Polaroid cameras and rare expired instant film, he transforms fleeting moments like butterflies into reflections of reality, moments of infinity, and truth.
Embracing the risks of expired film, he intentionally creates unique, unpredictable tones, producing a cinematic, film-like quality and a vintage atmosphere impossible to achieve digitally.
His art embodies his discoveries:
“The world is just an illusion. Life is a dream. Wake up and know yourself!”
“The universe has beauty in abundance, and consciousness to witness it. My art is a reminder of this truth.”
“In search of truth and what’s real, I scratch the surface and discover that there is ‘nothing’ behind it. Now I peel off the skin of reality to reveal the matrix and show that the world is just an illusion. I manually edited my instant film, literally scratching the surface, to make this philosophical and spiritual truth visible through my images.”
Capturing delicate subjects on instant film is extraordinarily challenging. Fabian composes each shot with patience, turning fleeting moments into timeless, contemplative images that merge technical mastery with artistic intuition.
His photography has earned international recognition, including nominations and awards from FAPA, MIFA, IPA, ND Awards, PX3, and TIFA. Exhibitions include shows alongside Art Basel, Art Basel Miami, and the Venice Biennale.
He holds a Diploma from the Merz Academy, Stuttgart, Germany, and a Master of Arts from the University of Portsmouth, England.
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