Transition
Transition speaks about the times of uncertainty that come to challenge our values and beliefs, occasionally prompting to reshape the core. Tough questions appear and take over the thought processes, the very essence of the definition once felt indeterminately real. The fear of change impedes the next step in natural development; however, once the journey is initialized and change embraced, something beautiful might materialize.
The story deals specifically with change and transition in a metaphorical sense working with materials that allow to change the form, extend and shrink, block and enable the transformation with a certain amount of willpower applied. The static state is followed by dynamic movement emphasized by the use of out of focus images, the transition of the motion.
We discuss with the team topics as rebuilding individual characteristics during the pandemic, the need to rethink the plans for the year, as Julian describes the period, “it forced us to question what we considered normal and how we can adjust to move forward.” The team explains the need for recovery, the idea of protection presented in the story, eventually leading to renewal and hope.
Photography Julian Essink Art Direction Mina Hashemi Styling Ricarda Venjacob MUAH & Masks Patrick Gorra Casting Christina Neri Essink Model Susan Syring at Let It Go MGMT
‘Suddenly life began moving at a slower pace, and we found ourselves with so much time on our hands. It forced us to question what we considered normal and how we can adjust to move forward; hence, transition.’
— Julian Essink
What is the main idea you present in Transition? What does the state of transition include, in your opinion?
Julian: Transition depicts the feeling and a process the last couple of months forced us to experience individually.
Initially, when we put the concept together, we focused on the idea of protection. The more we thought about it, the more we wanted to show the collective insecurity and discomfort surrounding this time, which forced us to get used to a new reality of staying at home and having less interaction with the outside world.
This had a powerful impact on how we function in our private and social lives. We entered a new decade with high expectations and plans only for everything to be put on hold for the indefinite future. Suddenly life began moving at a slower pace, and we found ourselves with so much time on our hands. It forced us to question what we considered normal and how we can adjust to move forward; hence, transition.
‘I learned to remind myself to rethink, value and preserve my personal beliefs, and give myself more time to move through a slow recovery with a newfound hope rooted in rawness and sensibility.’
— Mina Hashemi
Pausing and thinking about one’s purpose and goals for the short and long term, during the times of uncertainty, is one of the most critical topics that has recently risen. What are the takeaways for you from the process?
Mina: I felt that the internet wanted me to believe I wasn't doing enough with all that 'extra time' I had. However, with the ending of nearly every facet of modern life, I found it harder to get things done the way I usually would. My biggest takeaway was to let go of that urge to overachieve, the idea that every second of our lives must be commodified and pointed toward profit and self-improvement. It's tough enough to be productive in the best of times, let alone when we're in a global crisis.
Going back to business as usual and pretending the problems we're still in the midst of aren't happening is not the answer. Considering the uncertainty of an era marked by a pandemic, I learned to remind myself to rethink, value and preserve my personal beliefs, and give myself more time to move through a slow recovery with a newfound hope rooted in rawness and sensibility.
‘Our initial idea was about protection, so we chose different materials that could pass as a type of shield. However, as the story progressed, we decided the plastic, the self-made box, and various facial materials/masks better depict a cocoon or shelter where the model symbolically takes on a new form.’
— The Team
The materials used in the shoot such as plastic, the box, sticking plasters limit the model from movement causing her to take a new shape with her body and adjust. Tell about the process of creating the art for this shoot and deciding on the shapes.
The Team: As mentioned before, our initial idea was about protection, so we chose different materials that could pass as a type of shield. However, as the story progressed, we decided the plastic, the self-made box, and various facial materials/masks better depict a cocoon or shelter where the model symbolically takes on a new form.
These items are artificial and human-made and meant to mirror society's fast-paced, capitalistic inclination, and dependency on disposable items.
‘Our goal was to emphasize a feeling of discomfort and growth by juxtaposing the more sharply defined features of the model, Susan, with softer, delicate materials and clothing.’
— Christina Neri Essink
What was the most important aspect of casting the right model for the story?
Christina: We wanted someone with a certain edginess to elevate the concept of change during stressful times, such as what we're all collectively experiencing. Our goal was to emphasize a feeling of discomfort and growth by juxtaposing the more sharply defined features of the model, Susan, with softer, delicate materials and clothing.
What were some of the decisions based on - using light materials and pastel colors in styling? What was the feeling you wanted to create?
Ricarda: The pastel colors and transparent materials stand for fluidity, organic forms, and the feeling of renewal––essential attributes of someone going into a state of rebirth and transition. They symbolize a second skin that gently clings onto the body, and can be shed or formed into a new shape, representing a new self or life.
What is the most memorable moment or episode from the shooting day or the preparation for it?
The Team: The most memorable moment was finally seeing all the pieces come together in the end. It's incredible to experience a small thought develop into an entire concept with several moving parts and different creatives involved.
To top it off, Susan, our model, was the perfect fit; she brought our shared vision to life. Lastly, Patrick––who did the hair and the makeup–– made these beautiful masks that were great assets to shoot and added to the overall image.
Julian: But mostly, we all came out of our isolation to do this together. I didn't take any photos for months, and I enjoyed being in a synergetic environment with a highly motivated team. It felt almost therapeutic to express this flow of ideas and creativity again.
