Shooting the Letters

In October 2010 we gathered in Susanne Stemmer´s studio in order to take pictures of my letters. The plan was to simulate dissection in a surgery room. Weeks before I organized surgical instruments and garment but the hardest part was grabbing a time slot in Susanne´s busy work life.

There is nothing like a Hasselblad. And there is no one better then famous fashion photographer Susanne Stemmer. You already could see on the rigging that these are going to be kick ass pictures.



Catherine volunteered as model. Since we we did not know how much body and face will be shown on the pictures I had her and Felix dressed up completely in surgery apparel. I think that usually models don´t like that kind of garment but Catherine went along happily.

I did not see this coming: Latex gloves come in different sizes and I must have grabbed the XL - too big for Catherine. We had to tape and tacker.

Last facial touch ups and letters wiped clean.

It took considerate efforts to put all components in the right place. But here they are: four heroes in action.




The whole situation resembled a real surgery. I actually had to wipe foreheads.


Surgical intervention over. Can somebody please clean up the mess?

The studio team:
Felix Leutner, Catherine Hera Arming - Chief Physicians
Susanne Stemmer - Photographer
Andreas Scheiger - Idea & Patient Provider
Love you, folks!

Evolution of Type, Exhibits 1-9

The final result of a joyful project. All pictures were taken by Susanne Stemmer at her studio and retouched by Nicoletta Sobotta at her "Retoucherie". For more pictures see my Behance portfolio.

Evolution of Type, Exhibits 6-9 & 12

The finished next set of letters. This time I used corals and shells in addition to chicken bones. For a full description and more pictures see my Behance portfolio.

Making of "Exhibit 6-9 & 12"

Materials: Powder-coated MDF, polymer clay, chicken bones, corals and shells, thread, wire, hot glue. Colored with acrylics, spray paint and clear varnish. I am so caught up in the process that I forget to shoot making-ofs. That´s why not all of my letters are documented here.

Evolution of Type, Fig. 18

I plan to put this concept into a sculpture. I am still checking the details and testing materials and I already know it´s going to be a toughy.