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Jenni Hensler

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Jenni Hensler
Hensler in New York, July 2022
Born
Seattle[1]
Occupation(s)filmmaker, creative director, visual artist, costume designer, fashion stylist
Websitewww.jennihensler.com

Jenni Hensler is an American artist, filmmaker, and creative director based in New York City.[1][2][3][4] As a freelance agent for print publications, she styled fashion editorials and photo shoots for American Vogue,[5] Vogue Italia,[6] Elle,[7] Interview,[8] and i-D.[9] She first established herself in the fashion and music industries by working as the primary costume designer and stylist for three contemporary singers, namely, Chelsea Wolfe,[10][11] Zola Jesus,[12] and Marissa Nadler.[13] Her individually handcrafted original costumes and wearable sculptures have been showcased at the Museum of Modern Art and Guggenheim Museum in New York, and at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.[14][15][16]

Since 2017, Hensler has increased and expanded her role behind the camera, working on various productions. She was credited as creative director on a short film produced by Stella McCartney and David Lynch titled Curtains Up, as part of a project funded by the David Lynch Foundation, to highlight the power and effects of Transcendental Meditation.[4][17] She created "Garden of Ants," an art film she made that juxtaposes the subject of innocence and abuse; the film was made with music by Chelsea Wolfe and Alex Zhang Hungtai of Dirty Beaches.[2] She was also the fashion director for techno DJ Black Asteroid's video "Tangiers," featuring Michèle Lamy, the wife and muse of fashion designer Rick Owens.[18] Hensler has directed several music videos, including for Zola Jesus, Chelsea Wolfe, and Liz Lamere, the long-time collaborator and wife of Alan Vega of the synth-punk duo Suicide.[19]

Visual art

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In 2017, Hensler presented her own first art exhibition, a multi-sensory live installation at New York's James Fuentes Gallery, titled Persona Somnia I (Latin for "Dream Persona"). The exhibition featured Spanish performance artist María Forqué suspended from the ceiling by a set of intricately knotted shibari ropes and accompanied by a musical soundscape.[20][21][22] Hensler described it as "a visual, sonic and tactile exploration of a kaleidoscopic, fragmented self as it merges into a whole,"[23] and elaborated that "the exhibit explores the act of viewing as a reciprocal one... We experience ourselves as living mirrors of each other."[24] Prior to that, Hensler shared a residency space at the Park Avenue Armory.[23]

Hensler is also a published photographer, working in 35mm film and primarily taking candid portraits of musicians or models in black-and-white or highly saturated monochromatic colors, and often utilizing dramatic chiaroscuro lighting techniques, as seen in the series of a portraits she did for the July 2019 issue of Nasty magazine.[25][26]

Directing

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In addition to the "Garden of Ants" art film,[2] Hensler has directed and co-directed numerous music videos. She co-directed Chelsea Wolfe's video for the song "Hypnos,"[27] and synth-pop singer Zola Jesus' video for the song "Ash to Bone."[28][29][30] She individually directed indie folk singer Marissa Nadler's "If I Could Breathe Underwater,"[31] Zola Jesus' "The Fall,"[32] Kronos Quartet and Ghost Train Orchestra's "High on a Rocky Ledge,"[33] and the video for "Lights Out" by electronic artist Liz Lamere.[19] In addition to those, she directed rapper Johnny Based's video for the song "Virus,"[34] Liz Lamere's video for "Sin,"[35] and psychedelic folk singer November Girl's video for "Beam Me Up."[36]

She also creative-directed a photo shoot for Red Bull Music Academy.[37]

Costume design and styling

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Hensler's costume and styling work can be seen in numerous music videos by a variety of artists, such as in the Chelsea Wolfe videos for the songs "Carrion Flowers,"[38] "16 Psyche,"[39] "Flatlands,"[40][41] "Spun,"[42] and "Be All Things,"[43] and she has created stage costumes for Wolfe's concert tours and festival appearances.[23][44] Hensler costume designed and styled the Zola Jesus videos for "Dangerous Days,"[45] "Seekir,"[46][47] "Hunger,"[48] "Nail,"[49][50] and "Exhumed,"[51] and the Marissa Nadler videos for "Blue Vapor"[13] and "Dissolve," the latter of which was produced for Pitchfork.tv.[52] In addition to those, Hensler styled the electronic musician Black Marble's video for the song "Cruel Summer,"[53] Australian electronic act HTRK's video for the song "Chinatown Style,"[54] indie pop band Lower Dens' video for the song "Real Thing,"[55] and the video for the collaboration between Dutch composer Jozef van Wissem and American filmmaker-composer Jim Jarmusch for their minimalist classical music piece "Etimasia."[56] She appeared in the Chelsea Wolfe video for "Spun,"[42] and in the HTRK videos for "Chinatown Style"[54] and "New Year's Day," which was directed by collaborator Nathan Corbin.[57]

Hensler has been a crew member on a number of independent narrative films as well, including as the costume designer on the short film The Puppet Man, which features horror-film director John Carpenter, and which was screened at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.[58]

Influences and vision

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The vision behind Hensler's art, films, and installations draws on and incorporates elements of diverse eras, visual traditions, and movements, such as magic realism and dark surrealism, esoteric and occult symbology, Japanese minimalism, ancient Egypt, and classical mythology, as various Greco-Roman motifs, shapes, and silhouettes appear throughout her work.[59][6] She describes herself as being inspired by the Jungian concept of archetypes that inhabit humanity's collective unconscious,[1] and she has said, "Creating a dream world in the waking world is a major part of what I like to do,"[23] "[m]ixing dreams with reality... One of my passions is to create ways to take others into this place. To open a part of the psyche and create a dream-like psychedelic experience which connects everyone using minimal elements."[1] According to one fashion commentator, Hensler "creates wearable works of art, melding mysticism and ethereal beauty with the strict order of natural science."[16]

Hensler favors an aesthetic that projects female power, mystery, and eroticism. The looks she created as a designer and stylist alternate between or juxtapose voluminous dresses, cloaks, and sleeves with bare skin and tight-fitting pieces, and she has made wearable sculptures from wood, metal, PVC, and leather, often paired with large-sole boots or shoes, and accented with headpieces, veils, and jewelry.[8][60][61] She has created wearable sculptures using LED lights[15][16][62] and has hand-painted directly onto fabric as well.[29] She has been said to create esoteric, "borderline-spiritual looks [that] seem to draw inspiration from the occult, fetish wear, and fantasy."[23] Her designers of choice, who serve as influences on some of her signature looks, include Thierry Mugler, Maison Margiela, Yohji Yamamoto, Rick Owens, Ann Demeulemeester, and A.F. Vandervorst.[63][64][65][66][67]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Ahren, Anna E. (April 30, 2015). "Interview: Jenni Hensler – Persona Somnia". Beautiful Savage. Brooklyn, NY. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Janz, Madeleine (October 5, 2020). "Jenni Hensler Explores The Effects Of Abuse In a New Short Film Featuring Music By Chelsea Wolfe". Bust. New York, NY. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  3. ^ "Chelsea Wolfe shares "Iron Moon," contributing to visual artist Jenni Hensler's new work w/ Zola Jesus, Azar Swan & more". BrooklynVegan. Brooklyn, NY. April 28, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Medina, Marcy (August 21, 2018). "Stella McCartney Unveils Film 'Curtains Up' on Transcendental Meditation". Women's Wear Daily. New York, NY. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  5. ^ Phelps, Nicole (March 8, 2018). "Drag Kings". Vogue. New York, NY. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Elstone, Jeff P. and Black, Madeleine (May 28, 2014). "Realm: The story of a royal family from the ancient world". Vogue Italia. Milan, Italy. Retrieved September 19, 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Davis, Rebecca Willa (February 28, 2012). "Backstage Pass: Zola Jesus". Elle. New York, NY. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Kaplan, Ilana (October 20, 2011). "Wolfe Eyes". Interview. New York, NY. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  9. ^ Way, Mish Barber (July 28, 2015). "Chelsea Wolfe's New Album Is Pure Gothic California". i-D Magazine. London, UK. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  10. ^ Way, Mish Barber (July 28, 2015). "Chelsea Wolfe's New Album Is Pure Gothic California". i-D Magazine. London, UK. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  11. ^ Gulyan, Armine (September 13, 2019). "Chelsea Wolfe: The Modern American Poet". Flaunt. Los Angeles, CA. Archived from the original on October 16, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  12. ^ Leas, Ryan (September 29, 2014). "Zola Jesus On Going Pop And Getting Away From Civilization". Stereogum. New York, NY. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  13. ^ a b Marissa Nadler (August 7, 2019). "Blue Vapor". Marissa Nadler Music YouTube channel. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  14. ^ "Night Life: Zola Jesus". The New Yorker. New York, NY. June 8, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  15. ^ a b Kaganskiy, Julia (May 14, 2012). "Zola Jesus Shows Off A New LED Collar at Her Guggenheim Performance". Vice.com. New York, NY. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c "Air: Jenni Hensler". Ace Hotel Official Blog. New York, NY. June 29, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  17. ^ "Curtains Up". StellaMcCartney.com. New York, NY. August 22, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  18. ^ MPC New York (September 8, 2017). "New Black Asteroid Video is a Battle Royale with Dark Forces from MPC Creative and Timothy Saccenti". Little Black Book. New York, NY. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  19. ^ a b Johnson, Tommy (March 10, 2022). "Liz Lamere Shares Video For "Lights Out"". Ghetto Blaster. New York, NY. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  20. ^ Guzman, Ivan (April 26, 2017). "Persona Somnia I – Diamante con Suspencion". Office Magazine. New York, NY. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  21. ^ Esther, Pola (April 25, 2017). "Maria Forque and Filip Custic "Patafísica: Suspensión, Fragmentación" Exhibition at James Fuentes Gallery, New York". Purple Magazine. Paris, France. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  22. ^ Lee, Sunny (April 19, 2017). "Maria Forqué". Coeval Magazine. New York, NY. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  23. ^ a b c d e Disser, Nicole (April 21, 2015). "Stylist for Zola Jesus and Chelsea Wolfe Plans a Multi-Sensory Immersive Exhibition". Bedford + Bowery. New York, NY. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  24. ^ Scarabelli, Taylore (April 21, 2017). "Now Viewing: Maria Forqué + Filip Custic". Opening Ceremony. San Francisco, CA. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  25. ^ Macavei, Anca (July 15, 2019). "Zola Jesus in conversation with Anca Macavei". Nasty Magazine. Milan, Italy. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  26. ^ Wolfe, Chelsea (September 1, 2024). "Guest Curator: Chelsea Wolfe". WUF We Understand the Future. No. 2. Basel, Switzerland: WUF We Understand The Future. p. 52. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  27. ^ Murphy, Tom (May 24, 2016). "Chelsea Wolfe's Dark Dream Explorations Continue With "Hypnos"". Westword. Denver, CO. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  28. ^ Daramola, Israel (April 3, 2018). "Video: Zola Jesus – "Ash to Bone" (Johnny Jewel Remix)". Spin. New York, NY. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  29. ^ a b "Zola Jesus: What would your id look like? I wanted to wear mine on the outside". WePresent. New York, NY. April 4, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  30. ^ Munro, Scott (April 4, 2018). "Zola Jesus premieres video for Ash To Bone remix". Louder Than Sound. Bath, England. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  31. ^ Leas, Ryan (September 14, 2021). "Marissa Nadler – "If I Could Breathe Underwater"". Stereogum. New York, NY. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  32. ^ Leas, Ryan (May 18, 2022). "Zola Jesus – "The Fall"". Stereogum. New York, NY. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  33. ^ "Ghost Train Orchestra & Kronos Quartet: "High On A Rocky Ledge (feat. Marissa Nadler)"" (video). youtube.com. Kronos Quartet YouTube Channel. June 29, 2023.
  34. ^ Johnny Based (October 28, 2020). "Virus". Johnny.Based YouTube channel. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  35. ^ Liz Lamere (May 20, 2022). "Sin". In The Red Records YouTube channel. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  36. ^ November Girl (November 11, 2022). "Beam Me Up". November Girl YouTube channel. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  37. ^ Mejia, Paula (August 31, 2017). "Voices From Within: The World of Zola Jesus". Red Bull Music Academy Daily. Cologne, Germany. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  38. ^ Roberts, Christopher (June 24, 2015). "Watch: Chelsea Wolfe – "Carrion Flowers" Video". Under the Radar. Los Angeles, CA. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  39. ^ Chelsea Wolfe (August 14, 2017). "16 Psyche (Credits listed under the video)". Sargent House YouTube channel. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  40. ^ Chelsea Wolfe (December 14, 2012). "Indie Crooner Chelsea Wolfe Rocks Her Rad Goth-Glam Style". Refinery29. New York, NY. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  41. ^ Chelsea Wolfe (June 21, 2012). "Flatlands (Glassroom Sessions)". Sargent House YouTube channel. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  42. ^ a b Chelsea Wolfe (October 18, 2017). "Spun". Sargent House YouTube channel. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  43. ^ Chelsea Wolfe (August 14, 2019). "Be All Things". Sargent House YouTube channel. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  44. ^ Wolfe, Chelsea F.C. (October 23, 2014). "When the Darkness Comes, Keep an Eye on the Light – Tour Diary: Chelsea Wolfe". Flaunt. Los Angeles, CA. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  45. ^ Zola Jesus (August 28, 2014). "Dangerous Days". Zola Jesus YouTube channel. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  46. ^ "Zola Jesus Video Premiere: Seekir". Dazed. July 9, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  47. ^ Zola Jesus (July 10, 2012). "Seekir". SouterrainTV YouTube channel. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  48. ^ Zola Jesus (January 28, 2015). "Hunger". Zola Jesus YouTube channel. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  49. ^ Day, Laurence (August 27, 2015). "Zola Jesus is bound in a latex "sensory deprivation bed" in the video for "Nail"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  50. ^ Zola Jesus (August 27, 2015). "Nail". Zola Jesus YouTube channel. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  51. ^ Zola Jesus (August 3, 2017). "Exhumed". Sacred Bones Records YouTube channel. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  52. ^ Marissa Nadler (September 27, 2016). "Marissa Nadler Performs "Dissolve" in an Otherworldly Session". Pitchfork YouTube channel. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  53. ^ Black Marble (October 9, 2012). "Cruel Summer". HardlyArtRecord YouTube channel. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  54. ^ a b HTRK (July 22, 2014). "Chinatown Style". ghostlyintl YouTube channel. New York, NY. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  55. ^ Lower Dens (September 12, 2016). "Real Thing". RibbonMusic YouTube channel. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  56. ^ Jozef Van Wissem and Jim Jarmusch (November 11, 2013). "Etimasia". Sacred Bones Records YouTube channel. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  57. ^ HTRK (December 21, 2020). "New Year's Day". HTRK YouTube channel. New York, NY. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  58. ^ "Projects: The Puppet Man". Los Angeles, CA: Sundance Institute. January 22, 2016. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  59. ^ "Interview With Zola Jesus". Bust Magazine. New York, NY. November 6, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  60. ^ Giovi, Elisabetta (May 6, 2015). "Jenni Hensler – Visual Stories". Wobblin' Betty Keeps Wobblin'. Milan, Italy. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  61. ^ Young, Meghan (May 16, 2012). "The Fashion Gone Rogue 'The Baroness' Editorial Stars a Somber Mila". Trend Hunter. Brooklyn, NY. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  62. ^ Creep feat. Lou Rhodes (September 3, 2013). "Vertigo". OfficialCreep YouTube channel. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  63. ^ Zola Jesus (August 29, 2013). "Fall Back". Sacred Bones Records YouTube channel. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  64. ^ "Zola Jesus X Reverie". GM Reverie Official Blog. Santa Clarita, CA. August 19, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  65. ^ Rabkin, Eugene (September 28, 2015). "Chelsea Wolfe – Part I". StyleZeitgeist. New York, NY. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  66. ^ Rabkin, Eugene (September 29, 2015). "Chelsea Wolfe – Part II". StyleZeitgeist. New York, NY. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  67. ^ Schwartz, Michael (2018). A.F.Vandevorst: Ende Neu. Cannibal Publishing. p. 364. ISBN 978-9492677259.
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