Can you tell us more about your background?
It is highly multidisciplinary. I started in performing arts and later pursued a master’s degree in media spaces and new media. I have worked across various disciplines, collaborating with many artists and creatives. I’m grateful to have gained experience in many fields, as it gives me a comprehensive perspective on the art, fashion, and production industries. This inspires me to explore whatever sparks my interest and push it even further in the future.
How would you describe the main themes you explore in your work?
My work gravitates toward the surreal and explores in-between spaces. I draw from many influences and have a foot not only in the art industry but also in fashion, dance, and design. My main themes revolve around self-reflection, perception, and human connection. I often play with reflections in various ways—distorted, colored, or blurred—to suggest an alternate reality.
Where do you find inspiration?
In everyday life – it can be random, coming from whatever experience I’ve recently had, but I feel it’s deeper when it comes from something transformative for me. It could be a conversation that shifts my perspective, meeting someone who inspires me, or experiencing something new that broadens my mind. However, the central themes in my work remain consistent. I enjoy pushing boundaries in various aspects of my life, and these experiences are often reflected in my artistic output.
What does the process of creating an immersive, interactive experience look like for you?
What makes something interactive or immersive, to me, is its ability to transport someone’s reality into another, even just for a moment. This transformation can come not only from the artwork itself but also from the way it is presented and the story behind it. It’s more than just the final piece—it’s the entire process, the intention, and the way that gives it meaning and depth. I am more interested in sharing this with the world. While art is my medium, I aim to extend it into something formless—something that doesn’t even need to be physical. I believe that the artist, as an extension of themselves, becomes a piece of art in their own right, creating an experience that others can engage with and immerse themselves in.
Can you tell us about the role of experimentation in your work?
That’s how it all began. During my master’s studies, I had the opportunity to experiment in studios fully equipped with cameras, a green screen, lights, and more. In my bachelor’s studies, we had access to a stage—a space where I could explore movement and creatively play with whatever was at hand. It was my playground, and that’s where the magic truly happened.
Today, I can compare it to my art studio. Even though it’s smaller, it still allows me to explore whatever needs to be explored. It’s pure freedom, and it fuels creativity. I believe experimentation is the best way to discover one’s truth, path, passion, and beyond.
Is there a piece of your work that you feel especially connected to, and why?
I had the opportunity to create my first urban art sculpture in my hometown in France, and I will forever be grateful for it. I feel like it’s a piece of me that I left in the city where I was born, and I hope it inspires especially the younger generations to follow their dreams—perhaps even a creative path as I did—despite not having many resources to start with. This is my „why“: why I create and why I do everything I do today.
I want to inspire others, particularly those who may not have access to as much culture as we do in places like Berlin or other metropolitan cities. As a female artist, creating a large piece of art outdoors, where it can be seen, is also a statement. I believe women and female artists still need to take up more space in whatever they pursue.
In your project “Déjà vu”, you give us a glimpse into your studio, a space that seems central to your creative process. How does the environment of your studio influence your work?
I believe it’s essential to make whatever space you spend time in feel like home and reflect who you are—your aspirations, your aesthetic, your vibe. So far, I’ve filled it with cacti and pop colors. I recently moved into this space, as my old one didn’t reflect this vision. Though it’s small, it’s cozy—a place where I can easily immerse myself, and create new pieces of art and exciting upcoming projects.
What’s your work day like?
Different every day – Sometimes, I focus more on the business side of my practice and spend the entire day working in a café on my laptop. Other times, I dedicate the day to developing new ideas or refining current ones, planning the upcoming months. And sometimes, I spend the whole day—or night—in the studio, creating. The life of an artist is so diverse and multitasking. No one prevents you from that, but the reality of the art world is much different from what people might teach you in art school.
What are your plans for 2025?
I’m currently in a transition in both my work and life, and it feels both exciting and a bit scary! I believe that 2025 will be very different from the past five years of creating, producing, and exhibiting. I will share more details about some exciting projects in the coming months.
Camille Schaeffer – www.cillesch.com, www.instagram.com/camille.cillesch/
