Jan Hottmann

Residence Fund for Young Design

The Stuttgart-based photographer Jan Hottmann (b. 1986) is the fourth resident to take part in the programme Fund for Young Design at the MK&G, established by the Stiftung Hamburger Kunstsammlungen (SHK). His final project "Lead to Gold", comprising photographs and animated films, will be presented from 21 October 2022 to 26 February 2023. Inspired by the MK&G collection, Hottmann uses photography here as a medium that merges reality and fiction. Digital programs allow him to manipulate video game graphics in an obvious manner to create new narratives.

In a virtual city, Hottmann stages male protagonists whose actions are guided by emotions ranging between anger, loneliness, fragility, and the need for control. Fascinated by plants, he has created a fantasy garden with special flora where the characters come together and in the process undergo personal development. Many of the images we see are based on experiences and encounters Hottmann had during his stay in Hamburg. In the virtual 3D environment, he fuses his personal observations with photographs he took in Hamburg.