„Happy waters“
There are photographies, which are taken – over years – in the “waters” of the lake of Constance and the river of Rhine. Originally the project was called “Natales”.
The pictures show portraits of people in a close connection to the water – by swimming , diving and merely “being in the lake”. The book and the exhibition gives an atmospheric impression with own texts and quotes of literature. Thoughts & making-of: The book captures spontaneous moments of people swimming, diving or just chilling in the summery lake, often in an atmospheric light by which I was particularly struck. I am well aware that it does not strive for conventions of established photography. Intentionally, I tried to to document different effects of water on human beings – especially during a certain season, when water is broadly „accessible“. Here are circa 50 portraits arranged together under the theme „Happy waters“. It was more about encounters in water, about intimacy in those situations, where people felt liberated and at ease. A crucial thing was also to meet them on equal terms, jointly swimming and diving together. The technical equipment was plain, assuming that a huge technical input may have disturbed the situation. Sometimes I was surprised that it was so easy to make people feel comfortable and confident. The small camera provided no obstacle as I entered into their privacy. Water accelerated intimacy, perhaps by covering the participants. The lake as a common public space. I lived through all sorts of moments and later combined the results with texts that may extend their substance in various, sometimes paradoxical ways.