Dreams of Flying by Jan von Holleben

Jan von Holleben lived most of his youth in an alternative commune and identifies a strong connection between the development of his photographic work and the influence of his parents, a cinematographer and child therapist.

At the age of 13, he followed his father’s photographic career by picking up a camera and experimenting with all sorts of „magical tricks“, developing his photographic imagination and skills with friends and family and later honing his technique in commercial settings.

Jan von Holleben’s work has been exhibited internationally and published widely throughout the world. His focus on the visual representation of childhood, ‘Child-History’ and concepts of ‘Playing’, come from his teacher training coursework: he combines these theories with his personal experience and childhood memories.

Inspired by classic childhood books as well as modern superheroes, he has produced ‘Dreams of Flying’ since 2002 with children from his local neighbourhood in Southwest Germany – ongoing!