Kasten was born in Chicago in 1936. She received her bachelors degree from the University of Arizona in 1959 and got her masters from the California College of Arts and Crafts in 1970. Kasten has a very long and impressive list of awards, grants, and showings. The complete list is here.
Kasten photographs elaborate sets that she herself creates (along with a lighting team she recruited from the film industry.) She stages the use of mirrors, glass, shadows, and a large assortment of mixed medias. Kasten also shoots site specific photos, but she usually incorporates the use of mirrors and vibrant colors among them. She creates surreal environments that explores their alterations by juxtaposing harsh, extreme lines, angles, and forms. She was also influenced by the Bauhaus Movement as well as Constructivism.
As far as finding any sort of artist statement, I couldn't really find anything. I'm not sure as to what her motivations are, but I really enjoy her work. I find myself trying to piece together how she created some of her photos and come up short. I really like that her pieces have a simple, yet at the same time complex use of line and shadows.
These links were the most useful:
http://www.mocp.org/collections/permanent/kasten_barbara.php
http://barbarakasten.net/
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