Artist Bio

 
 

About:

Julian A. Kramer is a German photographer and tech executive at Adobe whose artistry blends the realms of street and documentary photography. His work, characterized by its insightful observations, humor, and innovative use of technology, has garnered international acclaim and recognition.

Background & Journey:

His journey commenced early in the embrace of emerging technology, specifically the occasional stealing of the family digital camera, a Leica Digilux. Educated as a Bachelor of Arts in Film, his limited patience with the established production methods and curiosity for new technologies lead him to the intersection of advertising and emerging media distribution platforms in the early 2000s - encouraging him to found a experimental production house, which later lead him to run the global content production for a large luxury automotive brand. 

Transitioning through roles in commercial media production and having worked for multiple luxury brands, Julian's creative trajectory took a unexpected turn when he was offered to work as a Tech Executive for the industry titans Google and Adobe, affording him to redirected his artistic focus from motion pictures and commissioned work in advertising to art photography.

Artistic Vision & Style:

Julian's photographic ethos orbits three guiding principles: 
provoking contemplation, instigating curiosity, and encapsulating (subjective) beauty. 

His immersion in street photography provides a canvas for meditative expression, steering away from controlled environments of his former commercial production sets to embrace the serendipity of everyday moments. The subtle humor in mundane scenarios intertwines with Julian's keen eye for details, echoing through his lens and infusing his work with a poignant blend of introspection and societal commentary. Notably, his fascination with technology is still reflected in some of his work - and extends to using Augmented Reality as a medium for gallery interventions and enhancing exhibitions with audio guide holograms.
Julian's photography mirrors his introspective nature and fascination with technology, embodying humorous influences from renowned photographers like Martin Parr and the visual aesthetics of iconic sci-fi movies.


Notable Works & Series:

"Autoportraits," a celebrated series, unveils an intimate portrayal of personal spaces devoid of human presence—the interiors of cars. This thought-provoking collection, showcased at Verizon 140 in New York and the esteemed Leica Gallery in Munich, invites viewers on a journey through cultures and cities, challenging assumptions and biases by glimpsing into these intimate, public yet private spaces.

"Space Exploration," a visual odyssey inspired by the allure of the 60s space race and cinematic aesthetics, reimagines contemporary objects and scenes as futuristic artifacts. Julian's lens transforms everyday objects, places and moments into echoes of a technologically advanced universe, inviting viewers to rediscover and reimagine the present as well as the hopeful promise of a better future through technology.

"Looming Danger," a striking series, encapsulates seemingly harmless moments in our urban environment, evoking a sense of desaster-anticipation akin to a National Geographic narrative, challenging perceptions of life and death scenarios through the lens of societal contexts.

Engagement & Impact:

Beyond his artistic pursuits, Kramer is an active participant in fostering dialogue and innovation within the creative industries. He frequently delivers presentations and lectures on the intersection of culture, technology, and creativity at conferences and events, including the European Union. 

He also shares his insights as a lecturer on topics such as the principles of creativity, corporate innovation cultures, and AI at renowned universities such as St.Gallen and FH Munich.

Noteworthy among Julian's engagements is his involvement in integrating the Content Authenticity Initiative into the Leica M11-P, making it the worlds first camera with Content Credentials at the point of capture, to create a more trustworthy digital future. 

Julian is working on a first draft to publish a book stemming from the "Autoportraits" series, alongside curating exhibitions slated for 2024 and 2025, unveiling new series.

In essence, Julian Kramer's artistry encapsulates a captivating fusion of technology, societal exploration, and artistic contemplation, beckoning viewers to see the world anew through his lens.