Interview with Germana Stella aka Je Suis Bordeaux

Edited by Davide Andreatta

Hello Germana, and thank you for this opportunity to get to know
you and explore your artistic practice. If you had the chance to fully
control the narrative surrounding you, how would you like to be
introduced?

Today, I would introduce myself like this, but tomorrow, I don’t know:
in a time and space without weight, I am bordeaux, and I am no longer
just a number beneath my feet.

In your artistic research, the body, your body, occupies a
central position. What is the reason behind this choice? Did your
practice stumble upon your body and stop there, or did your body
discover art?

It all stems from a conflict between mind and body, between control and
freedom: I’ve tried to find a balance between these things by turning
them into “art” – with quotation marks because I still can’t define what
I do with such an important word.

Your photography often integrates other media, such as drawing,
for example; where does this need for crossing boundaries come from?
This desire to hybridize is at the core of the latest Ernesto Dolani
collection, and I believe it intersects with a broader movement – think
of new ecologies, ecofeminisms, and intersectional movements. What are
your thoughts on this?

The use of drawing within my photographs originates from a battle
against censorship on social media. I tried to find a way to cover those
parts of the body that society refuses to consider natural, making them
appear less “wrong.” It’s a practice that has been going on for years
now, along with many other small battles against myself and against this
mentality we encounter every day. I find it fantastic that the fashion
industry is also interested in various social issues: usually, fashion
is seen as leisure, something light, but it’s so much more, and above
all, it’s something that truly involves everyone. So, through it, you
can reach millions of people and raise awareness about things that are
not talked about enough.

The latest Dolani campaign involves the use of artificial
intelligence in the production of its visual content. Is this a
technology you have some interest in? Can you imagine a future where it
will be part of your creative process?

I don't yet know exactly how to interpret it, but I definitely foresee
the integration of artificial intelligence into my photography, although
I wouldn't want to change my style too much. In any case, it would
certainly be interesting to talk about something I've always wanted to
resemble, especially in the past: something perfect, without feelings.

Regarding your intervention on your photos through drawing,
elements from the natural world make their appearance. From your
perspective, what kind of relationship exists between technology and
nature?

Honestly? I’ve never really considered such a question. I’ve always seen
nature as something precious to be preserved and protected from humans,
and technology as something precious but entrusted to the wrong hands,
those of humans. These are two things I can’t seem to reconcile, but I
suppose there are technologies that, when used in harmony with nature,
can also help it; this would somehow make its process unnatural, but our
existence must somehow improve the course of things in the universe. We
can’t just destroy; our existence must have a purpose.

Would you be willing to share some insights into your future projects with our community?

Future projects… I have so many things in my head, but I was born under
the sign of Gemini, so they will almost all be inconclusive. I can say
that I have just started a collaboration in Berlin to create a clothing
line with some very unique prints, but I wouldn’t want to reveal too
much because life has taught me the concept of giving and taking very
well.