German–born artist excludes CGI as a method of production, and yet Schonlau reproduces digitally seeming artefacts through sculptural settings and precision photography. Playing with sleek surfaces of various objects is a main characteristic of Schonlau’s digital creations. The images appear hyperreal and perfectly artificial. Small imperfections and discrepancies within the picture seem to be the ultimate proof of their ‘natural’ origin and thereby create ambiguity for the viewer. Pascal Schonlau operates from his studio in London.

While there are concerned voices fearing social media and real life are drifting apart more and more, I feel that its the other way round – while the content in social networks was following reality in the beginning, there was a shift some years ago where it starting to define (hyper-)reality. Now reality is chasing an digital modification of itself with all the side effects.

I love the eclectic mix of imagery and the potential it has connecting people but there must be a change in narcisstic comparison to each other.

Questionnaire with Pascal Schonlau

Qompendium: Your job in 20 words …
Pascal Schonlau: Photographer. Fascinated by surfaces, bodies, shades, digital artefacts. Sometimes commercial, mostly conceptual. Often travelling, working for diverse clients and commissions.

Your personal style signifier is …
Tactile, hyperrealistic

How would your girl friend / boy friend describe you …
Dazed&Confused

How would your PA describe you …
Dry

When do you turn your Mac, iPod, iPhone off?
Strictly flight mode in the bedroom.

What is the smartest graphic / image / art / photography you have ever created?
Interfusion – temporary light sculptures for the Luminale FFM

The first lens you would use on any assignment is …
35mm and come a bit closer please

The best trick on photoshop is …
Cmd + S

A poster you would hang on your wall …
An Adolphe Appia reproduction, large scale. Anyone?

The last meal that truly impressed you …
Tempel of Camden’s vegan BBQ Burger

The last CD you purchased and would buy again …
Sevdaliza – Ison

The graphic that truly impressed you …
estudiomargem is having a reduced approach focussing on production techniques.
I’m not actively following the graphic design scene though…

Ancient history thrills you because …
It’s still defining our present and future

The United States is …
https://screenqueens.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/2.jpg

United Kingdom is …
{London} is a time machine.

Russia is …
Using Steven Seagal as an humanitarian messenger – what a great time to be alive!

Money is …
Walking through Knightsbridge on a sunny Saturday afternoon

Art is …
Britney’s flower painting (Google Images to the painting)

I am a photographer. Fascinated by surfaces, bodies, shades, digital artefacts. Sometimes commercial, mostly conceptual. Often travelling, working for diverse clients and commissions.

Your ultimate addiction …
Espresso, no sugar please

A recent discovery of yours is …
The Dandelion Bar in Southwark

The last thing you bought and hated …
Bose noise cancelling earplugs – mutes a helicopter but I still hear the fox in my garden screaming

The next big thing is …
Decentralised working

The books on your bedside table are …
Byung Chul Han – Agonie des Eros, Alvin Toffler – Future Shock

Your personal items you never go on journeys without are …
Black Moleskin, Headphones and 3 Cliff bars for long shooting days

The first thing you do when you enter a hotel room is …
1. Turn the AC off
2. Check for bedbugs
3. Don’t disturb sign!

Your favorite corner of the Internet is …
Nowness, Dezeen, Secret London

What else do you want to say?
Can we rework that social media concept please?

Can we book you?
Sure – Hit me up!