With her self-designed outfits, Sophie Ramirez aka Soffpoffssharedlove stands out even in the city of fashion. As an " interdimensional artist", the 26-year-old creates interdimensional bodies in order to generate interactions and experiences so that people "do not remain locked up in their own heads". After living in Cologne, Seattle and London, she came to Düsseldorf about eight years ago to study at the Kunstakademie - and has found a beloved home here.

“SOFF with the Interdimensional Body of Düsseldorf”, photo and illustration: Sophie Ramirez

What characterises Düsseldorf?
First and foremost, curiosity and openness towards the unusual. At the same time, I notice a very distinct appreciation of quality. Companies and cultural institutions are incredibly well organised here. I also experience a very peaceful and tidy city atmosphere. But not a cramped orderliness, but rather an awareness of the value of what you have and what you want to preserve.

Düsseldorf is a good place for artists because ...
… there is an excellent infrastructure for art and culture. Thanks to the Kunstakademie as an internationally recognised development centre for work and innovation. Thanks to the many good museums, which also serve as a source of inspiration for artists and as a mediating anchor to the world. Through the many galleries that act as transformers of art, because once art enters private contexts, it becomes part of everyday consciousness. And through the many companies that provide a lot of money and opportunities to be able to buy art at all. (It's good for me to be able to develop artistically in an environment that's so outward-looking itself).

Düsseldorf in three words
Snazzy. Powerful. Curious.

If Düsseldorf were an interdimensional body, what would it look like?
In any case, this body would have a dominance of attractive forces. The membranes would be calibrated in a relatively balanced way, mainly in the presence spectrum of interference and absorption. Primarily there would be low polygonal structure and the SOFF force would be predominant in the realisation phase.

I find inspiration here in Düsseldorf
For example, the Japanese bookshops and supermarkets on Immermannstrasse. This authentic culture and difference is most inspiring thing for me. I also love the many art spaces in the city. And I am also inspired by conversations with very different people.

Here in Düsseldorf, I get in a good mood
The first place that springs to mind is Edeka Zurheide. All the small, authentic supermarkets from different countries also always put me in a good mood. And the botanical garden.

Here in Düsseldorf, I meet interesting people
I meet very interesting people at exhibition openings who are keen to network. I've also met product developers from big companies who I work with, for example on the “Rundgang” of the Kunstakademie, an exhibition where the art students’ final year works are on display. •

Words: Tom Corrinth
Pictures: Sophie Ramirez

Why Düsseldorf?