Sound design for visual art
Alice Milewski is a 22-year-old photographer, designer and creative head based in Vienna, Austria. Her works and visual narrative is best described as surreal, extraordinary, dreamy or almost dystopian. Specialised in self-portraits, she is the creator but also the main subject of her works. Her art acts as a mirror and ultimately has the goal to submerge the observer. Helping them to find themselves in her pieces. Despite her young age, Alice already developed a well-defined style. Primarily focusing on playing with light, body composition, physical distortion and creating complex worlds.
All That Holds You Is A Thin Skin is an audio-visual piece all about the intimacy of breathing. Being close to one another, feeling the air of your partner or just being alone with your own thoughts.
Alice introduced me to the idea while creating the concept. We decided to team up on this personal project and Alice trusted me with producing the sound design.
You can check the original post including the video here
An interview with
Alice Milewski
Let’s start from the beginning – What inspired your interest in making photography?
I was always interested in visual arts. For example I started drawing at a real young age. Photography felt like a logical next step in the right direction. Illustration and drawings honestly were feeling a bit too personal to share. Photography is a good middle ground.
When you started doing photography, what kind of pictures were you trying to make?
Portraits always have been my main focus. Human and personal touch are quite important for me. That is why I was never that interested in doing landscape or object photography. Doing self-portraits kind of evolved from there.
Why self-portraits?
Self-portraits allow me to express my own feelings or emotions in a good way and let me communicate with the observer directly. Also it kind of feels like coming back to yourself if you are working in a self-centred way. Almost like meeting my inner child again.
How did growing up in Austria influence you creatively, if at all?
Growing up in Austria did not really influence me in a grand manner. I think I would have chosen the same path in any other country with the same opportunities. Maybe the calmness and slowness of Austria helped me to clear my head for doing art more excessively.
What did your earliest set-up look like? What equipment were you working with?
When first starting out I used my mum’s camera. A Nikon D3500 including a zoom kit lens. I started working with Adobe’s Photoshop at a really young age. My older sister gifted me her old laptop and as luck would have it, an old version of Photoshop was installed. That is what got me hooked on editing software.
How has your set-up evolved? What are your primary pieces of gear today?
Indeed, my set-up really changed a lot over time. I can call myself pretty lucky that I acquired many pieces of gear today. Primarily I am using a Sony Alpha SLR including several different lenses. Recently my favourite lens is a Sigma Art 16mm lens. Furthermore I am now really getting into analog photography and am using various old cameras like a Mamiya RZ67 or different 35mms.
What inspired your style that you have adopted?
Above all dreams influenced my style a lot. I tend to have quite lucid dreams. Specifically about strange worlds and bizarre events. Also I like to think of myself as a happy observer, that is where my love for light comes from.
As a self-portrait artist, do you think limitations helped you develop your pieces?
Generally, yes. As a result of mostly working alone there goes a lot of thinking in how I want the picture to look before actually taking it. In fact these limitations really feel liberating. Despite of not having a third or fourth hand helping me out with setting up everything, I actually enjoy working by myself a lot. It gives me some sort of calmness in my process and art.
Who were some of the foundational influences of your art?
Actually various other female self-portrait artists that I discovered on Instagram shaped me a lot. Not only do I love checking out other people’s work but they inspire me immensely as well. For example some of my favourite artists I came across are: Britta Bug, Chantal Convertini, Shannon Tomasik and Brooke Shaden.
Since we are talking about inspiration, the muses come from everywhere. What are some other arts or aspects of your life that you find yourself drawing on for your photography?
Firstly, anything in written form. After all I do not see myself as a person that is that good with words, so naturally they can inspire me. This can be a poem, a text, a book or some lyrics. Secondly, music is one of my main muses. Equally instrumental music or tracks with vocals. I enjoy unique sounds that stick to my mind. Lastly, talking with humans can have a huge impact on my work. Their stories, their feelings and words can inspire me to do a picture that represents exactly just that.
Where or when do you feel most creative?
Usually in life you have up and downs. In neither extreme I typically feel like being able to do my best. I feel most creative between these two extremes, that is also when I feel most objective. I prefer to reflect about what happened in a calm manner. Don’t get me wrong, I think both are equally important. Nonetheless I just feel most creative when I am being in the middle of them. Where is a difficult question. Probably places I truly feel comfortable.
What is the last thing you learned?
In the long run I always feel like learning something new. Sometimes I learn a new trick in editing software I did not know about or I do things you are “not supposed to do” with my gear that end up in interesting results. Anyway, to be more specific, the last thing I learned is editing pictures in audio programs. This process is called data bending.
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
Honestly if I have no motivation I just force myself to create something. I strongly believe in that you should at least always try. Even bad pictures can have a great outcome. My main motivation comes from the love for the craft, so that is a given. Until now my only issue has been in times when I do not feel that motivated. When I open up Lightroom or Photoshop and I do a good edit, that can get me energized pretty quickly.
Do you ever create hidden meanings or messages in your art?
For sure, but usually I do not point them out. I do not think as an artist you should explain yourself or your work that much. After releasing my work I feel kind of detached to it. It now belongs to the viewer. It feels wrong explaining everything, I want people to find themselves in my work.
Do you have a piece that you are most proud of at the moment?
One of my favourite works is my Period series or an eye I edited a while ago. Besides that I particularly enjoy creating cover artworks for music. The one I am probably most proud of at the moment is for Fool Parsley‘s U Do You EP. I enjoy this piece that much because the shooting and editing style was so experimental.
If your art were edible, what would it taste like?
Bergamot ice cream. Something that looks pretty but is kind of odd. Slightly bitter, sour but ethereal and sweet.
What advice would you give to people that are following your footsteps?
Never stop. Continuity is key for everything good. Try not to compare yourself too much to other artists. Learn by doing a lot of different styles and stick to the one that represents you the best. On no occasion try to be someone else, because you as a person are special and unique. Do not put yourself down if something doesn’t work out as expected, learn from your mistakes. There will always be a next project.
What other interests do you have?
Whenever I feel like doing something else I often catch myself to do work in another creative field. I love all kinds of arts, I love visiting museums and galleries. Often I enjoy watching quality movies or reading books. Like mentioned before I have a big soft spot for drawing and also music. I’d be delighted to learn more about the latter. For that reason I recently downloaded a DAW and am playing around with it in my free time. Additionally I started curating a playlist called pretty odd with tracks that make me feel.
How do you relax?
Besides being into music and other arts I love going for wonderful walks and visiting mother nature. Not only I love calm and green places but also the feeling of fresh air on my skin. Further I have a big fondness for water and watching animals. Moreover I enjoy eating good food and going out with my friends.
What are you looking forward to in the next couple of months?
Shooting more analog film and working on more projects that I can actually touch with my hands. Most of my work is digitally based but I really want to expand my horizon. Work that involves actual building or crafting of objects, sounds really interesting to me and I want to get more into that. Also I will dedicate more time to do prints of work that already exists. At last because it is summer and after all time being in lockdown as a result of the pandemic, I really look forward to finally go on a vacation again.
Stay up to date on Alice’s photography, designs, visual arts, and more, at her Instagram
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