Interior Scholarship | Blog 03/2017 | Mona Schaffer

Over the past few months, I have been developing two and three-dimensional rooms. These are collages of my experiences, as well as the stories of Cubans, which I am using to create rooms with colour schemes that reflect my impressions and feelings. I have made the decision to continue my work using photos. They are able to capture a certain place and time with a particular incidence of light much more precisely.

A few weeks ago, Internet access at the university library was improved. The information that can now be accessed is no longer restricted to a few Cuban websites, which one was only able to open previously with a lot of patience and long waiting times. I now have access to all types of websites that can be called up at a speed comparable to a very slow Internet connection in Germany. I open Pinterest and search for "Havana". What image, what expression of colours and shapes is developing on these photos that can be found on the Internet?

There are many pictures that show colourful facades and interiors. High ceilings, a colonial style and antique furniture. It is an image that has also taken form in my mind these past few months in Havana and that has dictated my choice of colours. I select one of these pictures and ask Pinterest to search for "visually similar results". The selection of the displayed images expands from interiors to paintings that feature the same colour scheme as the chosen photo. I select several of the photos and use them to make collages of three rooms. Later, I repeat this process with a room of the Colegio de Arquitectos in Havana. Each of these rooms has a certain atmosphere, a certain colour tone and a very individual spatial experience.

Using a search engine that searches for "visually similar results" is an exciting process for me. The mixture of clear spatial lines and room-defining objects from the photos, as well as the painted areas of colour, result in an exciting synthesis of room definition and atmosphere. I'm happy to be able to develop differentiated spatial concepts using the process of collaging and working without restraints. This could be another step for me toward a more realistic application of interior design.

About Mona Schaffer

Mona Schaffer initially studied media and communication studies for two semesters to learn more about visual and audio-visual communication. She then transferred to the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design and began her interior design studies. In the 2016/2017 winter semester, Mona studied scenography at ISA (universidad de las artes) in Cuba. In order to allow her to completely focus on her studies, Mona will receive the "Interior Scholarship" – the Sto Foundation's AIT scholarship. In the 2016/17 academic year, it is being awarded to four interior design students who stood out through their pronounced attitude and creative way of thinking. The scholarship comes at the perfect time for Mona Schaffer and it will pay for part of her stay abroad.