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Luca Tichelman (1995) has a background in theatre. In her visual work, she explores the interplay between theatrical elements from the stage and the intimate possibilities offered by film, bringing the two together. Tichelman places the inherent playfulness of acting in dialogue with the intrinsic human need to play. The various roles a person must assume to establish their place in the world – and to construct a personal narrative – form the core of her practice.
The video installation All the Wonder and the Ahhhh (2026) centres on a search for connection. The three clowns in the film each have distinct roles, which initially prevent them from performing a collective trick. By opening themselves up and beginning to play together, they ultimately enter the fantasy world they are seeking. The sense of alienation viewers experience when engaging with Tichelman’s installation – which employs an atypical sense of scale – underscores the constructed nature of the process.
The artist experiments with the idea of the self as something that may be more fluid than is often assumed. By allowing playfulness to enter, individuals can surprise themselves through different roles and find recognition within the collective, fostering connection. Tichelman believes in the shared creation of reality. As she explains: ‘My work is an ode to play. Why do we call play fake, and what really distinguishes fantasy from reality?’
Written by: Kelly-ann van Steveninck