The Candy Crush Project

• Prize
• Photographer
  Florian Müller, Germany
• Studio
  -

Fetishism and sexual role plays do not belong to the socially
accepted varieties of sexuality and are often considered to be
perverted or abnormal. The prevailing perspective on this topic is
predominatntly shaped by physical violence, rubber and leather.
The true bandwidth of fetishes is unequally wider and varies from
human horses and masochists, latex-brides and human puppies
to slaves and real-life-rubberdolls. Behind many of the often
dangerous or potentially harming practices is the desire to satisfy
basic human needs such as closeness, security or confidence. Due
to the lacking acceptance, many fetishist still feel forced to
supress their needs, what often places themselves into social
isolation.
On the other hand, the pornification or sexualization of society
changes the perception of privacy and intimacy as well as
sexuality itself. The capacity and availability of the internet
simplyfies the exchange of people who share the same sexual
preferences or paraphilia. Thus, many fetishists gain a new self-
conception. In general, sexual niches seem to become presentable
and still, sexual fetishism remains an unknown or unwanted part
of social life, although books like “Shades of Grey” top the world´s
bestseller lists and fetishist elements are to be found in many
shapes and colors throughout pop culture.

Born in Germany in 1982, I started my professional carrer as a video editor in the age of 21 after a time of extensive journeys. In 2007, I dared to take a step backwards from motion pictures to still images and started to study at the university of applied sciences in Hanover, Germany.

Following the tradition of humanistic photojournalism, I feel strongly committed to Concerned photography and express my respect and empathy through this powerful medium. As good images take time and understanding I like to work intensively on deeper-perspective projects to raise awareness and responsibility on specific social grievances.

Awards Photojournalism student at the university of applied sciences in Hanover, Germany

Awards/Honourable mentions

Honourable mention for "Fashion Victims" IPA 2012
Finalist Ian Parry Scholarship 2012 with "Fashion Victims"
Bronze Medal for "Fashion Victims" 2012 Open Eyeland Awards
2012 Ian Parry Scholarship Finalist
2013 One Eyeland Awards: Bronze für »Fashion Victims«
2013 FotoVisura Spotlight Grant Finalist
2013 Prix de la Photography Paris, 3rd Prize »Fashion Victims«
2013 PDN Photo Annual Awards Winner »Fashion
Victims«
2013 Photo Circle Vilnius Finalist
2013 PhotoVisa Krasnodar, Bronze für »Fashion Victims«
2013 Eddie Adams Workshop, NY, Class of XXVI
2015 Kolga Tiblisi Finalist with »Fashion Victims«

Exhibitions (Extracts)

2010 “Peasants of the Lagoon“, Groupexhibition “Perpignan - 12 facets of a city”, Hanover
2011 “Brave ideal Fetishworld” – Groupexhibition „Photokina meets Academy“, Cologne
2011 Extracts from the series “Brave ideal Fetishworld” and “Big Fish, small fish”, Groupexhibition “Explaining Mankind to Man”,
Hanover
2011 “Heimspiel” Projectexhibition “Hellfeld”, Hannover
2011 „Big Fish, small Fish“ Foodphoto Festival, Tarragona, Spain
2012 “Fashion Victims “, LUMIX Festival for young Photojournalismus, Hanover
2012 “Fashion Victims” (Extracts), Ian Parry Scholarship Exhibition, Mother Gallery, London 2012
2013 “Peasants of the Lagoon“, Groupexhibition “Partner.Stadt”,
Hanover
2013 »Fashion Victims« VISA pour l`image- OFF-Festival,
Perpignan
2013 »Fashion Victims« Photo Circle Festival Vilnius
2013 »Fashion Victims« PhotoVisa, Krasnodar
2014 »Fashion Victims« NewYork Photofestival Screening
2015 »Fashion Victims«, Kolga Festival, Tiflis