Body Pixel

Martin Bruch is certainly one of the most famous lomographers. His photos, taken in the moment when he fell off the wheelchairs, were till now exhibited at events and spaces such as the Venice Biennale (2001), Sadler’s Well London, Conversation Centre Liverpool, Künstlerhaus Graz, Tanzquartier Wien…

Photo by Martin Bruch (c)

Besides being a lomographer, he is mostly known for his films screened at many leading short film or documentary festivals: ‘Handbikemovie’ (2003), ‘Fenster/Drei sätze’ (2006) and ‘home.movie’ (2008).

Photo by Martin Bruch (c)

Martin Bruch lives and works in Vienna (Austria). For years he was involved into film industry, firstly as boom operator, than he had to switch to something less movable, because of his affliction with MS – multiple sclerosis. He spent 10 years as sound effects archivist.

Photo by Martin Bruch (c)

Experiencing his first fall and an awkward but interesting perspective of the ‘new’ world he was witnessing, Bruch decided to start to take photographs every time he falls, doesn’t matter if he’s outdoors or in his apartment, crowded with people or an empty yard. His images could be seen in the book covering the synonymous photography cycle ‘Crash Landing’.

Photo by Martin Bruch (c)

Two weeks ago I saw his latest short film ‘home.movie’ made in collaboration with Reinhilde Condin which is a small journey through Martin Bruck’s intimate spaces, his apartment. The camera is tightened on his wheelchairs, in front of his head, so the viewer can sense and experience his own view. From this perspective, you can gradually see the way he’s moving through his space, looking at his personal stuff, noticing what remained from times when he wasn’t ill, compared with apparatus that he needs now in order to make possible to live fully in the apartment.

Excerpt from home.movie by Martin Bruch (c)

Very very subjective view that shows you partial aspect of his every day life, but also a man being honestly playful, while driving you through his traces: on the floor and with the help of lifter taking the viewer to the upper spheres – rails tightened on the ceiling. After he start to ‘ride’ through the space faster you can’t feel anymore safe, ending the whole ‘journey’ with the crash of the camera, you realize that the game is over.

Photo by Martin Bruch (c)

Martin Bruch’s most famous work is his film from 2003 – ‘Handbikemovie’: ‘From 12/2001 to 12/2002 he filmed his rides through big cities and in the countryside employing a helmet cam: These images and sounds represent at least an approach to his own perception.’

Filmstill from handbikemovie by Martin Bruch (c)

‘Thus the audience of his documentary handbikemovie will find itself being stuck in a traffic jam on New York’s Times Square, between tramways and car lanes on the Vienna Ring, or alongside a double-decker bus in the heavy traffic of London. Motors are vibrating all around, tyres are thundering on the asphalt, and now and then sounds of music can be heard from a passing-by convertible.’  (Maya McKechneay)