• English
    • Deutsch (German)
  • • HOME
  • • ART DIALOGUE
  • • REFERENCES
  • • ABOUT
  • • CONTACT

ELKE BACKES

Human Trans_Mission. Sophie Ramirez (SOFF) on the trail of the “absurd phenomenon of being human”.

Sunday, 20 November 2022 / Published in Design, Digital Art, Installation Art, Mulitimedia, Newcomer, Photography, Public Art, Studio visits

Human Trans_Mission. Sophie Ramirez (SOFF) on the trail of the “absurd phenomenon of being human”.

Text: Dr. Elke Backes, Photos: Marina Kiga

Loud and trendy, or futuristic and downright cosmic, Sophie Ramirez alias SOFF poses on the photos of her brightly coloured Instagram-Feeds. When meeting the student of Kunstakademie Düsseldorf privately, you get a surprise. Her extraordinary styling is not just a means of her staging, but an expression of her personality. Make-up, clothing – everything is loud, stands out from what is usually described as “normal”. SOFF lives this style. Bold, and impressively self-confident! But, what exactly is her art? Doesn’t SOFF fall into the rather more superficial category of pop culture or, is she simply a good model?

I wanted to find out and go and visit her in her live-in studio. Still stressed out from finding a space to park, I press her front door bell and am immediately sucked into the SOFF cosmos. The door is pulled wide open, I am enthusiastically welcomed, and am immediately in a completely different world: A mixture of Villa Kunterbunt, Barbie‘s Home and World of Warcraft. Every corner is individually and lovingly arranged. I don’t know where to look first, while SOFF prepares the coffee. Despite the scurrility of the interior, everything appears surprisingly structured and tidy. Nothing looks like work in progress.

“But you mostly work here and not at the Akademie, don’t you?” is therefore my first question.

SOFF: Yes. It is here that I create my outfits, backdrops and ideas for what is then implemented in an urban space or wherever.

SOFF’s cosmos.

E.B.: … and, as a result, becomes the basis for photographs, films or performances?

SOFF: Photographs and films yes, performances no. I am simply present. During a performance I would differ from my natural conduct. And that I don’t do. I am always part of the context in which I move.

E.B.: When do you decide on what staging? Looking at your Soffsmultiverse Website, one gets the impression that you are the protagonist of a computer game. Looking at your Instagram feed, you seem to be the influencer of your own fashion collection.

Bottom: Screenshot from Soffsmultiverse Website, top: Screenshot from the Instagram-Feed.

SOFF: With my art project I am exactly at that interface. That is, between art, design, the digital and the virtual world. We are living in times where everything increasingly merges into one. What is the difference between the Avatar that one creates as one’s own player character in the gaming world and the profile, that one creates for oneself by way of one’s own staging in the social networks? In both cases, imagined identities are created, which are inspired by images of the digital, virtual and physically real world. Why not transmit the freedom and aesthetics of the digital and virtual world to the here and now? Concretely put: Our patterns of behaviour change with the times and in different dimensions, but our patterns of perception do not. To make development possible, an awareness of this must be created.

SOFF between art, design, and the digital and virtual world.

E.B.: So, you want to provoke irritation with your staging and presence, which invite such an involvement and drive a development?

SOFF: Yes exactly. And I do this, like the setting up of a scientific experiment, by going out into the world and watch what happens. I then return home, process what has happened and then give structure in form of artistic works to these experiences. All in all, for me, it is about the self-reflective investigation of the absurd phenomenon of being human.

E.B.: That sounds like an enormous mission. You are therefore your own research object, that allows new insight to be created with this change of perspective?

SOFF: Exactly. It is always a mixture of self-experience and observer reaction, which stimulates new actions and allows new pictures to emerge. Here, too, is a link to an actor in a computer game. With his Avatar, he reacts nonstop to the events in the game, but continues to see himself from the perspective of the camera.

E.B.: I suppose the idea of the self-reflecting examination started with your studies. Your spectacular outfits are the essential preconditions for your investigation. When did you start and what caused you to create your own outfits?

SOFF at work.

SOFF: Very early on. At the early age of nine I did not want to follow some normative without thinking about it. I thought it was absurd to abstain from colourful clothing just to be cool. I’ve always loved role playing games. Therefore every new outfit is like immersing myself into a new part with which I become one. Clothes to me are like an extension of my body and just as vital as eating [laughs].

E.B.: And why did you shave your head? Was that also part of an art project or rather more personally motivated?

SOFF: As I said, I do not really separate the two. I was almost fanatically attached to my long hair and literally panicked when even the tips needed some cutting. At the same time I found the idea to shave my head very attractive. So, yes, my Viking-syndrome got the better of me. Whenever there is something that I am not confident to do, I absolutely have to do it to prove to myself that I can grow. I made the development to my final cut public on my Instagram account, which subsequently resulted in the Hot Girl Summer Postcard Edition.

Hot Girl Summer Postcard Edition.

 

E.B.: As always, bright and colourful, and, at a first glance, it is staged as a typical holiday post and not recognisable as art. Is this part of your fundamental concept?

SOFF: I always try to keep the question open as to what is artificial and what is genuine; I like to play around with prejudices and contrasts between pop and art or irony and seriousness. The changes in the structures of our society need new concepts of order, which are appropriate to our environment today. I want to use my art projects to demonstrate that we, as individuals, to not have to fit into a culture or mass market, but to life. That seems to me to make sense overall.

E.B.: Despite being serious, you are a cheerful person. The aesthetic of your art creates cheerfulness. Is there also a message in this aesthetic which can be found in connection with the digital and virtual world?

SOFF: Yes, definitely. There are such fantastic worlds in gaming, which, at the moment, are only used to escape into. There is so much energy and creative development in this, which could just as well be used for the composition of our physical, real world. I want to demonstrate that both can be combined with each other. That is the reason why I usually move outside the typical art frame and enjoy experimenting in public spaces, where I am perceived differently. The reactions are more spontaneous. It is interaction on an eye-level, where I can directly observe the reactions. Incidentally, I prepared something…..

Eagerly awaiting the things that may come, I am totally amazed to see SOFF appear with two newly created dresses from behind the door.

SOFF: I thought that a joint staging as a kind of self-experiment would be awesome for you to get a live impression of my work. We get changed, walk to the station and pose. You will see how exciting it is to watch the reactions.

 No sooner said than done.

"Anprobe" - ein Gemälde von Sophie Ramirez (SOFF), das eine Figur bei der Anprobe von Kleidung zeigt. Das Bild zeigt die Komplexität der menschlichen Natur und die Faszination für die Darstellung von Identität. Die lebendige Pinselstrich-Technik, kräftige Farben und kraftvolle Komposition erzeugen eine emotionale Tiefe im Bild.

Fitting before the joint art project.

The reactions are really fascinating. They are a mixture of the expected and the surprising. Cell phones are pulled out, selfies taken, compliments shouted, there are also some stupid comments and some playing up as well as cautious questions about what we are doing. Nothing but interaction and, indeed, an unusual form of social study!

"Bahnhof" - ein Gemälde von Sophie Ramirez (SOFF), das einen verlassenen Bahnhof zeigt, der von der Natur zurückerobert wurde. Das Bild fängt die Atmosphäre der Vergänglichkeit ein und zeigt detailreiche Texturen, subtile Farbnuancen und ein Spiel von Licht und Schatten.

Joint art project in a public space.

In conclusion, I can answer the question as to whether the art of SOFF falls into the category of pop culture or whether she is simply a good model with an unambiguous “No”. As a medium between the worlds, she literally embodies her artistic ideas and has a clear message. Research project: Human Trans_Mission. Stay tuned! These are the beginnings of great things …

"Alian" - ein surreales Kunstwerk von Sophie Ramirez (SOFF), das eine menschenähnliche Figur mit maskenartigem Kopf zeigt, umgeben von bizarren, organischen Formen, dargestellt in kräftigen Farben und detailreichen Texturen.

SOFF, Medium between the worlds.

Further information

Website Soffsmultiverse: https://soffsmultiverse.com/homepage/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soffpoffssharedlove/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soffpoffssharedlove?lang=de-DE

Tagged under: Digital Art, Düsseldorf, Mulitmedia Art, Photgraphy, Public Art, Soff, Sophie Ramirez

What you can read next

Jan Adriaans – The Man-Machine. Remote-controlled, or autonomous?
Johanna Keimeyer – Multimedia self-awareness
Volker Hermes – Hidden Portraits – Just masquerade?

Categories

  • Architecture
  • Art market
  • Art projects
  • Artcollectors
  • Behind the Arts
  • Dance
  • Design
  • Digital Art
  • Events
  • Exhibition reviews
  • Fashion Design
  • Gallery Portraits
  • Graphics
  • Installation Art
  • Mulitimedia
  • Newcomer
  • Painting
  • Performance
  • Photography
  • Public Art
  • Sculpture
  • Studio visits
  • Video Art

Newsletter

READY TO BE WOWED? SIGN UP HERE!

Recent Posts

  • Romanticism 2.0 – A Journey into the Fairy-Tale Paradise Worlds of Katrin Kampmann

    Her art is multifaceted. And this is meant lite...
  • The stage as a human-machine magic box. For the world premiere of New Ballet mécanique and the resumption of Half Life at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Antwerp.

    October 4th, 2023. One day has passed since the...
  • Somehow something always “oscillates”¹. A “ready-gemaked”² art dialogue with the artist collective Pegasus Product.

    Have you ever heard of the Birdcage Theory? Tha...
  • Generative design in its most magical form – Flora Miranda’s Haute Couture dream worlds between technology, fashion and art.

    Anybody looking at the designs of the Austrian ...
  • HOMMAGE A MUSEUM ABTEIBERG – Sensational! The 2022 Annual Gifts

    Museumsverein Abteiberg (Museum Association Abt...
elke_backes

elke_backes

‼️OUT NOW‼️ Jetzt online auf www.elkebacke ‼️OUT NOW‼️ Jetzt online auf www.elkebackes-artdialog.com 🤩 #studiovisit @kat_kampmann. Wir freuen uns über euer Feedback🤗

#artdialogue 
photos: @carstensander_official 
#berlin 
#contemporaryart 
#painting 
#drawing 
#installationart 
#film
#staycurious
‼️OUT NOW‼️ Jetzt online auf www.elkebacke ‼️OUT NOW‼️ Jetzt online auf www.elkebackes-artdialog.com 🤩 #studiovisit @kat_kampmann. Wir freuen uns über euer Feedback🤗

#artdialogue 
photos: @carstensander_official 
#berlin 
#contemporaryart 
#painting 
#drawing 
#installationart 
#film
#staycurious
‼️Only one week left‼️ Mein Atelierbesuch ‼️Only one week left‼️ Mein Atelierbesuch bei @kat_kampmann wird nächsten Sonntag auf „www.elkebackes-artdialog.com“ veröffentlicht🤗 #staycurious !

#studiovisit #katrinkampmann 
#artdialog
#painting 
#graphic 
#installationart 
#film
#berlin
Monumentales Bildnis unserer Zeit👌🏻@thomaseg Monumentales Bildnis unserer Zeit👌🏻@thomaseggerer2019 @capitainpetzel: „Für Galeria hat der Künstler ein monumentales Werk mit dem Titel Fitness (2024) geschaffen. Ihr seht eine sorgfältig arrangierte Szene von Figuren, die in einem weitläufigen, spiegelnden, turnhallenartigen Raum
verschiedenen Aktivitäten nachgehen, wobei die Übergänge von Formen und Posen die Grenze zwischen individueller Präsenz und kollektiver Choreografie verwischen. Die Anordnung innerhalb der monumentalen
Komposition erinnert an das Genre der Historienmalerei, doch anstatt ein großes Ereignis darzustellen, konzentriert sich Eggerer darauf, wie sich Körper und Räume durch Formen, Gesten und Posen definieren.“ (Auszug aus Pressetext) 

Außerdem gibt es weitere Arbeiten zu sehen, die im Bezug zum Thema des Werks stehen und den Weg dorthin nachvollziehen lassen.
Sehenswerte Ausstellung ‼️
#dontmiss 
#justopened 
#capitainpetzel #berlin 
#thomaseggerer
Lang ersehnt und absolut überfällig: Mein Atelie Lang ersehnt und absolut überfällig: Mein Atelierbesuch bei @kat_kampmann 🤩
#staytuned 😎

‼️New ART DIALOG coming soon‼️

#contemporary 
#studiovisit
#artdialog 
#berlin
Endlich persönlich kennengelernt 🥰 @katharina_ Endlich persönlich kennengelernt 🥰 @katharina_arndt_berlin @themapgallery_berlin. Sehr sehr tolle Ausstellung nebst neuem Katalog on top👍🏻
Don’t miss!

@andreavongoetz
Ein Roboter, der mit zuviel Humanität gefüttert Ein Roboter, der mit zuviel Humanität gefüttert wurde? (@kat_kampmann) Verpixelte Malerei, die an Wandteppiche erinnert? (@innalevinson) Skulptur, Malerei oder doch eher Architektur? (@leopoldlandrichter) Fantastische Fabelwesen, die auf Vasen zu symbolischen Selbstporträts werden? (@zokotucha_nastia) Einige Beispiele der Gruppenausstellung „Joker“, der hier symbolisch das Spiel spiegelt, dessen genaue Regeln ebenso wie die Kunst niemand kennt … Sehr sehenswerte Sommershow @hausamluetzowplatz #berlin 👌🏻👍🏻👌🏻

1. Inna Levinson
2. Brigitte Schröck
3. Nadine Baldow
4. Nastia Eliseeva
5. Katrin Kampmann
6. Leopold Landrichter
7. Mike Strauch
8. Tarek Aly
9. Mikolaj Poliński & Misa Shimomura
10. Brigitte Schröck
11. Kassandra von Aschenbach

#groupshow 
#contemporaryart
Close to @kraftwerkofficial @montreuxjazzfestival Close to @kraftwerkofficial @montreuxjazzfestival #2024
camera: @carstensander_official 
video edition: @elke_backes 

#icons of
#electronicmusic 
#düsseldorf 
#musicandart
#noncommercial #video
#kraftwerk
#montreuxjazzfestival
Jeanne d’Arc close to @roisinmurphyofficial 💃 Jeanne d’Arc close to @roisinmurphyofficial 💃😅
@montreuxjazzfestival. It was a blast!!!!

Photo: @carstensander_official 

Video will follow … #staytuned!
#montreux 
#schweiz🇨🇭
Personal Highlights @SOMMERRUNDGANG 2024, Kunstaka Personal Highlights @SOMMERRUNDGANG 2024, Kunstakademie Düsseldorf ⭐️💫✨

1. Kayo Goede @kayotiyo 
2. Margarete Bartelmeß @__greta__b / @robertrickli 
3. Emmélie Lempert @mepe.mepea 
4. Soff @soffpoffssharedlove 
5. Soff and me
6. Judith Cürvers
7. Nura Afnan-Samandari
8. Nura Afnan-Samandari
9. Robin Laszig
10. Enya Burger @enya.burger 

3.- 7. Juli, 10-20 Uhr
@knstkdmdssldrf
Mal ein ganz anderes Setting 🐶🐕🌳😅 @ano Mal ein ganz anderes Setting 🐶🐕🌳😅
@anouschka.hendriks 
#hundewalk 
#naturelover
Hier darf‘s dann auch mal wieder ein bisschen bu Hier darf‘s dann auch mal wieder ein bisschen bunt sein 🌞🤩🌞🤩
Foto: @carstensander_official 
#venice @labiennale
Von der Brauerei zum stylischen Café 😳❣️Wu Von der Brauerei zum stylischen Café 😳❣️Wunderschön sanierte Industriearchitektur aus den 1930er Jahren @kindlberlin 
#berlin 
#architektur 
#industriekultur
Schön und furchterregend zugleich … @talbot.emm Schön und furchterregend zugleich … @talbot.emma lässt mythische Figuren auf riesigen Seidenkrepp-Behängen und in kuschelweichen Installationen zu Wort kommen und in eine andere Realität eintauchen.
„In the End, the Beginning“ @kindlberlin 
#berlin 
bis 26.5.24
3 (!) Stunden durchgetanzt 💪🏻🤩😂 Der Wa 3 (!) Stunden durchgetanzt 💪🏻🤩😂 Der Wahnsinn!!! Was für ein Konzert!!!! Never forget🙏 Thanks to @underworld ❤️
SIZE MATTERS 😀
GRÖSSE IN DER FOTOGRAFIE
1.2. – 20.5.2024
@kunstpalast #düsseldorf 
Foto: @carstensander_official
Sensationelle Show von @timberresheim @nrwforum 🥳🤩💫👍🏻❣️In einer Kombination aus Frühwerk und neuen, eigens für die Ausstellung entstandenen Arbeiten inszeniert Tim spektakuläre Bildwelten, die eintauchen lassen in seine „Neue alte Welt“. 
#mustsee ‼️Schlange stehen lohnt sich 😉

17.2.- 26.5.24
@nrwforum 
#düsseldorf
Richtig gutes Event mit tollen Ausstellern und Pan Richtig gutes Event mit tollen Ausstellern und Panels zum Thema Nachhaltigkeit in #fashion + #design👍🏻 Auch Kunst gan es zu sehen von @florianetti9 🤩
@bilkerbunker 
@thedorf_de 
@marionstrehlow 
@cutoffs.de 
@schnittstellekunst 
@freitaglab 
@nextlevelknit 
u.v.m.
#düsseldorf
Happy New Year 🥂🎊🤩🥳😘 @kat_kampman Happy New Year 🥂🎊🤩🥳😘 

@kat_kampmann #girlsgroup 
@schwuz 
#berlin
Thanks so much ❣️🥰😘 „When German based Thanks so much ❣️🥰😘 „When German based famous arthistorian @elke_backes came for an interview and to see my artworks. 
We felt flames of recognition and connection we can’t even put into words.  You can read the interview at her website .
This week you can discover my ashpaintings during Art Antwerpen on 

FRIDAY 15.12.23 in the gallerystreet of all streets in Antwerpen at Antwerpen Zuid  in a new space and concept by @som_curatedlivingrooms @studio_monumento @currentantwerpp Schalienstraat 2-4 3000 Antwerpen  from 3pm-10pm

SUNDAY 17.12.23 Finissage of my soloshow @muzeuml Bergstraat 23 8800 Roeselare  from 2-5 pm where I will show videowork, soundinstallations, textile and ashpaintings.

Hope to see you Friday or Sunday.“

Hugs Nathalie 

#artscène
#artfriends #artbrussels #artantwerp #gallery #Antwerpen #museum #Muze’umL #nathalievanheule #soloshow #groupshow #elkebackes #journalist #curator #som_curatedlivingrooms #monumento #Antwerpenzuid #ashpaintings
@nathalievanheule
Auf Instagram folgen

Stay In Contact – Your Steady Art News & Inspiration!

Subscribe to newsletter here to keep updated.

NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • ART DIALOGUE
  • REFERENCES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • IMPRINT
  • DATA PROTECTION

I am social

Dr. Elke Backes

Kommunikationsdesignerin B.A.
Kunsthistorikerin M.A.
D-41063 Mönchengladbach

+49 (0) 172 2670347

kontakt@elke-backes.de

TOP
Wir nutzen Cookies und vergleichbare Technologien, auch von Dritten, um unsere Dienste anzubieten und stetig zu verbessern. Mehr dazu erfährst du mit Klick auf den "Mehr" Button. Mit Klick auf "Akzeptieren" willigst du in die Verwendung dieser Technologien ein. Deine Einwilligung kannst du jederzeit über die Cookie Schaltfläche widerrufen..
Cookie SettingsAlle Akzeptieren
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
SAVE & ACCEPT