LIMBO focuses on a creative practice and an artistic vocabulary developed by giving oneself to the process rather than fixed concepts. Love of texture and graphite over color as well as topics like vulnerability, fetishism and the fascination with the human form crystallized Piech’s artistic vocabulary for this Project.
 Photographic references that revolve around the subjects of vulnerability, pleasure and various forms of beauty became the foundation of her new work. Collaborating with other Berlin artists, Piech creates her own artistic references through fetish photoshoots and BDSM performances. By using her body rather than a camera to achieve the result she wants, she relinquishes control and allows her collaborators to portray her as they see fit.
This vulnerable dynamic fluctuates between complete trust in the process and failure: by allowing the process to dictate the concept, she enters a precarious space with no beaten path or ability to fully control the visual aspect of the image. In this gray zone, there are no guarantees. This, however, leaves room for intuitive expression and free interpretation of the meaning in every image—a liminal state of potential and entropy.

Limbo

"Be My Quarantine" is a project which originated in the beginning of the Berlin lockdown 2020. This series of 42 postcard sized portraits revolves around experiencing the loneliness of the quarantine. Like many of my colleagues, I had to give up on all: social, modeling and job opportunities which I was preparing for months in advance. Inevitably I had to come up with another way to occupy my time in order to not spiral into grips of depression and loneliness. The goal was- keep it simple, so I started with the most base level form of photography- the selfie.   

During this time, I’ve been photographing myself in the skimpiest outfits I can put together. From the best ones I make drawn ‘selfies’, little graphite postcards that capture this affirmative moment in time—the indulgence of liking what you see in the mirror, the power of self-ownership and staying creative in a time of crisis despite limited resources. Unlike my older work, these new drawings are less demanding and focus more on internal beauty and pleasure rather than internal darkness. 

Later on I extended the project to my friends, artists, models and sex workers. I was also lucky enough to include Stoya; New York sex educator and pornographer to join and pose for a selfie. This project not only served as a great way of cross promoting each other's talents but it also became a perfect way to connect with other like minded individuals through art and creativity without physical contact.



Be My Quarantine 

Multi media drawing installation 
153 x 153 cm 

49 
In the world where we are drowning is visual input, it becomes increasingly more difficult to form lasting emotional connection to what is in front of us. Art collections, films and other visual mediums become a grey mass which we indifferently allow to pass through us like ghosts, leaving us bored and hollow, rather than inspired. 
49  is a drawing installation designed to slow down the process of mass image consumption in search of inspiration, and ultimately develop an authentic artistic vocabulary. The sources for found references include: films, fashion blogs, medical journals, nature photography as well as personal sketch books. 
At the start of the process I focus on a sequence of images and based on intuition I either select one or decide to focus deeper and take just a fragment. Each of these unfiltered ideas is then rendered onto transparent paper and organized within the uniform confines of a square. This instinctive process brings focus to the emotional depth of the visual elements necessary to spark inspiration and artistic action. The drawings are later arranged in a square formation reminiscent of a story board or comic book. 
These 49 images give insight into unrefined artistic research. By bringing focus to the bare essentials of the chosen images, I am able to determine the most important visual aspects to me, and thus decipher my own authentic artistic vocabulary. Despite the presentation and sequential order of the installation, 49 is not meant to imply any specific narrative. It is rather a map of symbols, open to viewer’s individual interpretation.


An in progress collection of 78 tarot cards with original illustrations and interpretations. Unlike the traditional version, the Bitter Moon Tarot uses found imagery to reinterpret the psychological faculties of each card. The goal here is to focus on the emotional quality of each image rather than symbolism. The deck follows a standard order in which it is divided into: Minor Arcana comprised of four suits; Swords, Wands, Coins and Cups, as well as the 22 cards of Major Arcana. However, unlike the traditional interpretation, it has no fixed symbology. For example, swords can be represented by literal image of the weapon or a suggestion of penetration such as a stab wound. This project has been created as means to create an authentic, artistic system to activate abstract thought through the use of a card game.

Bitter Moon Tarot 

Graphite on Transparent Paper
Size A4
2020

Self Portrait in Leather

Figure 2

Figure 1 

Blood Sports 

Graphite on Paper
80 x 60 cm
2019
( made in collaboration with Alex Dermatis)

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