Me – an Advertisement

Staging of an omnipresent advertising campaign which had been dominating public imaging of the entire Federal Republic at the time. This work was displayed in the windows of a bookstore on Berlin Friedrichstrasse and at University of Arts in Philadelphia.

Staging of an advertising campaign by H&M with Claudia Schiffer, from winter of 2001/2002.

ME – an advertisement, 2002 photographies for a folder, DIN A2, Offset-print, 4/4-color, and digital prints, mounted on forex 110 x 140 cm

ME – an advertisement, 2002, digital prints, mounted on forex 110 x 140 cm

ME – an advertisement, 2002, digital prints, mounted on forex 110 x 140 cm

ME – an advertisement, 2002, digital prints, mounted on forex 110 x 140 cm

ME – an advertisement, 2002, digital prints, mounted on forex 110 x 140 cm

ME – an advertisement, 2002, digital prints, mounted on forex 110 x 140 cm

ME – an advertisement, 2002, digital prints, mounted on forex 110 x 140 cm

ICH – Eine Werbung, 2004, Installation View, Rosenwald Wolff Gallery, Windows on Broad, Philadelphia

ICH – Eine Werbung, 2002, Installation View, Schaufenster Kulturkaufhaus Dussmann

ICH – Eine Werbung, 2002, Installation View, Schaufenster Kulturkaufhaus Dussmann

Me – by Stefka Ammon

Everday when I walk to work, I pass Stefka Ammon. No matter the weather, she is always dressed in pink, opaque bra and panties. Her short hair’s disheveled, and her face is broken out and shiny. She looks like she’s just woken up.

Ammon, a German artist isn’t actually standing outside. But her three large photographic selfportraits, which are singularily unflattering, loom from the alternative art-space Window on Broad next to the new Starbucks at Broad and Pine.
It’s an interesting juxtaposition – a brave meditation on notions of beauty and reality next to a commodified stunted take on community interaction. As far as braving the world without artifice, what Ammon’s doing isn’t new.

Art school feminists have long tried to demystify the human body with revealing and unforgiving self-portraits, and even Victoria’s Secret model Tyra Banks did a whole book in which she showed herself without makeup.

But there’s something about seeing Ammon’s photos on a busy street that makes you uncomfortable. Is she shameful or sexual? Would you have the nerve to do that? Would you rather get a latte? Decide for yourself.

Liz Spykol, Philadelphia Weekly, A-List “ARTS”, Sunday,
Nov. 30st, 2003