Simone Stoll
INSIDE 1
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: The image has a lavender background, perhaps a curtain, with blue shadows of vines and leaves. Superimposed on the lavender curtain is a woman’s torso in a red slip dress down to her thighs. Her left arm hangs loosely at her side. Her right hand clutches the fabric of her dress and pulls up the hem to reveal a small glimpse at her thigh. The shadows of leaves and branches creep over her pale arms. A bouquet of red flowers is layered over her right ribcage area. Layered across the woman’s chest is the word INSIDE in all caps. The whole image feels gauzy, ghostly, and soft.
INSIDE 2
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A femme in a red nightgown with spaghetti straps is shown from shoulders to hips. She stands in front of a translucent purple curtain embroidered with orange and purple flowers and butterflies. Her hands are doubled to show movement, and she holds her left hand palm up while brushing the fingers with her right hand as if brushing something off her fingers.
INSIDE 3
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A femme in a red nightgown with spaghetti straps is shown from shoulders to hips. She stands in front of a translucent purple curtain embroidered with orange and purple flowers and butterflies. This time, the spaghetti strap has slipped down her right shoulder. Water spills from her cupped hands as she brings them toward her.
INSIDE 4
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A femme in a red nightgown with spaghetti straps is shown from shoulders to hips. She stands in front of a translucent purple curtain embroidered with orange and purple flowers and butterflies. Her hands are doubled to show movement. She holds her hands at her sides and then crosses them over her chest.
VIDEO: INSIDE
Inside
05:22, 2010
A poetic divergence of body and mind.
The camera is fixed on the body of a woman in a red, silky dress; the image is multi-layered, doubling her tentative moves. Her face is out of frame; it is the body, its nervous expression and search that the camera is fixed on. At first, her movement appears to be out of synch; it splits into two only to melt into each other again; like too many minds in one. The dress is skin, her story, her self she cannot escape from. The sound creation enhances the tension expressed by the winding, the pulling and twitching of her body. Water is a refreshing but foremost a cleansing element; washing off memories, experiences; freeing the subconscious mind. The sudden moment of silence is like holding one’s breath and becoming aware of the moment and the self. ‘Inside’ evinces the attempt to heal after a distressing life experience and to become One again.
Artist statement:
In 2021, I had to face suddenly a life threatening and life changing condition, which lead to several surgeries of the brain. Under those kind of exceptional circumstances one might also alter the understanding of ones body and existence. I have always been interested in body and mind correlations; now, my personal experience has certainly left deep traces in me. My work evolves around the human body and mind. Earlier in the form of painting, I now focus on drawing, video and digital photography. Former research on the human mind, as well as collaborations with neuroscientists, have nourished my work and understanding of the human. I still appreciate input from outside; then again, I seek to create in solitude revealing physical and emotional intimacy, fragility and rawness of emotions. My approach is direct trying to keep the means simple; the camera is fixed and turns into the sole witness to this instant. Most times, I am the performer of my videos and model to photos. I am always searching for a poetic approach, a sensual and pensive touch.