LIFES

green bite happened in the small village of Delwara in Rajasthan, near the very touristy Udaipur. As small as Delwara is today, it has a significant history: once called Devkul Patan Nagri, there are said to have been up to 1500 larger and smaller temples. Up to 15th century, Delwara was considered a cultural center.

green bite shows an elderly woman on a late afternoon, on the way back from the field work to the village. On her head she supposedly carries the harvest of the day - a tuft of grasses, herbs or grain. The fresh green of the grasses contrasts wonderfully with the colors of her sari and headscarf: a green-colored frame for a face that captivates us: the deep furrows, the rigid gaze, the open, tentatively smiling mouth, give it a special urgency.

Delhi, India

Delhi, India

Mumbai, India

mona hindi happened in Varanasi, India – the oldest and holiest Hindu pilgrimage city, located on the sacred Ganges River. Every evening, thousands of people celebrate their faith here. Part of the ritual is adorning oneself with flowers, which are offered for sale by vendors.

The young woman is one such vendor. For the evening, she has dressed up specially in the colors matching her flowers. Her natural grace captivates the viewer, and her delicate, enigmatic smile is somewhat reminiscent of motifs from classic portrait painting.

Varanasi, India

urban turban happened in Delhi, India - two Sikhs conversing on the street. The turban, traditionally worn by Sikhs, is considered by many to be the typical Indian headwear. Truth is, Sikhs represent less than 2% of India's total population, making them only the fourth largest religious community in the country. In the important state of Punjab, however, they are the largest group with a share of almost 60%. Sikhs are monotheistic, they are considered cosmopolitan, helpful, and peace-loving. The turban - also called Dastar or Pagri - primarily serves to protect the hair, which remains uncut for Sikhs. But it also symbolizes equality, dignity, and self-respect. The turban has its very worldly origin as a symbol of freedom and resistance against the Muslim Mughal rulers, who had forbidden this headwear. Up to 7 meters of fabric are intricately wrapped for a proper turban - new every day and in different colors: blue stands for courage, white for purity. An orange turban - as seen in our picture - symbolizes wisdom, but also recalls the history of the Sikhs, wars, and the doctrine of connection with the divine.

urban turban shows the two men with impressive facial hair and particularly luminous, wonderfully curved turbans, both orange. The soft contours, the dark background, and the otherwise very reduced coloration immediately draw the viewer's gaze to the expressions of the two protagonists. They seem to be connected in silence, but the topic has probably not yet been fully discussed. What could it be about?

Mumbai, India

Delhi, India

Thrissur, India

focus rings happened in Varanasi, India - the most important hindu pilgrimage city, located on the Ganges river. Alongside sacred the river you will find at any time hundreds and thousands of pilgrims looking for holy inspiration, spiritual relief, cleansing and blessing. Countless preachers gather audiences to share their wisdoms and almost everyone listens in deep devotion and focus.

Especially ladies dress up in colours, mostly orange with various contrasting elements and ornaments. They apply ample and many kinds of jewellery, mostly from gold or brass - rings on their fingers, arms, ankles, toes, neck. The exact selection often depends on provenance, family traditions, religious journeys but of course also personal taste. The contrast to the casual attire of an average western tourist could not be any greater. Fortunatley they do not appear in too large numbers in Varanasi.   

Varanasi, India

umbrella wisdom happened in Varanasi, the most important and holiest of all Hindu pilgrimage cities. At any time of year, thousands of pilgrims gather here every day – to perform the various rituals, to pray, to receive blessings, and ultimately to experience purification – most thoroughly through a bath in the highly toxic waters of the Ganges. All along the grand stone steps leading into the water – called Ghats – preachers gather to bring the wisdom of Hinduism closer to the devout believers, with varying degrees of urgency. The interest is great.

umbrella wisdom shows such a preacher, who has gathered a small group of prilgrims dresses in colour around him to speak to. The attention of his listeners is assured. The photographer's gratitude as well, for the preacher having marked his territory with a large, colorful, well placed umbrella seemingly to bundle and amplify his words for the listeners. Thus protected, the group conveys the casual intensity so often found in Varanasi: despite all the hustle and bustle, restlessness, noise and intensity, there are always small, marked areas that allow for peace, devotion, and concentration. And, in the best case, the reception of relevant wisdoms.

noble rest happened on the outskirts of Varanasi, the most important Hindu pilgrimage city located on the sacred Ganges River. Away from the almost unimaginable intensity along the riverbanks and in downtown Varanasi, there are these somewhat quieter areas, at least by Indian standards. There, street scenes can be captured that offer completely different insights.

noble rest was photographed from a by-driving tuk-tuk: a man sitting on a plastic chair by the roadside, lost in thoughts. What might initially seem off-putting – perceived poverty, dirt, unpleasant odors – captivates us upon closer inspection: here sits a man amidst the hustle and bustle of an Indian street scene, completely at peace with himself, well-groomed, surprisingly flexible for his age with one foot on the seat, dressed in a traditional Indian sari. He radiates humility, serenity, but also determination, and in this form, a certain nobility.

lady cesar happened in Delhi, India. An elderly woman wrapped in colourfull clothes, seated on what could be mistaken for a throne, was it not obviusly plastic and with an expression to provide her with some natural authority, is obviously not the indian female version of Roman Emperor Cesar. But we suspect that only a few changes applied to the image could easily turn around the whole aspect. This may bring us to the idea how little may differentiate the appearance of the common from those who dominate the world. Also how much those small differences may impact the lifes and destinies of each and so many others. 

lady cesar plays with colours, shades, graphics and soft touches. It is taken from reality but abstracted to a degree which opens room for creative storry telling. Maybe starting with the not so imperial bottle of Coca Cola filled with water as it seems......

pink flow happened in Delwara, India, today a small village near touristic Udaipur.

A lady dressed in abundant flowing pink rests in perfect harmony with surrounding green, yellow, light blue elements. We may assume it is her every day dress style and that provides her with so much more dignity and pride than any westen t-shirt / jeans /sneaker styles could match.  

Delhi, India

Thrissur, India

Delwara, India

Delwara, India

Delwara, India

Thrissur, India

Delhi, India

Delhi, India

Delhi, India

holy joy happened in Varanasi, India. The city, located on the sacred Ganges River, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. At any given time, thousands of devotees celebrate here their religious rituals. The atmosphere is constantly incredibly intense, full of moving emotions, loud music.

The image shows a section of a large crowd of young people celebrating the Holi festival – one of India's most significant holidays. Holi symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, the beginning of spring, and the end of winter. As a sign of their joy, people throw colored powder at each other, dance, and celebrate exuberantly. The caste system, still present in today's India, is temporarily suspended during Holi.

moly joy was taken from a boat on the Ganges river, using a strong tele-lens which allows the focus on a particular group within the much larger crowd, to show individual and collective exaltation. The scenery is intense, loud, engaging, yet friendly and full of sheer joy.

Camel Cross was created in Varanasi, on the Ganges, the holy river of the Hindus, in the early morning. Opposite the bustling bank, a wide plain stretches out with much more space for the pilgrims. Here, many pilgrim families have set up simple tents for the duration of their stay; from here, they visit the rituals at the ghats opposite. In the meantime, they enjoy a bath in the holy but heavily polluted water, which is supposed to promise spiritual purification. Or they explore the area on the backs of camels waiting at the ready.

Camel Cross shows three camel guides with one of their animals, standing directly on the riverbank, waiting and looking directly at the photographer passing by on a barge. Only the camel stands across. The legs of the camel guide on the right are crossed, thus echoing the figure of the small table with x-legs standing next to him. The camel guide on the left stands straight, referring to the camel's tether, which hangs down from the animal's mouth directly next to him. These and other amusing details reveal themselves to the viewer upon closer inspection. He or she may also grasp the atmosphere unfolding on the banks of the Ganges that morning.

Varanasi, India

Varanasi, India

Delhi, India

one two happened in Beijing, China. A mother is cycling her kid around town, on one of certainly more than 9 million bicycles in Beijing at that time. 

The picture was taken in 1984, just a few years after the end of the cultural revolution. At this time China stictly imposed the one-child policy. Parents believed under this dogma it would be nicer to have a boy rather than a girl which reportedly lead to some cruel consequences. Many years later the Party realised the policy did no good - neither to the families, nor to the economy and certainly not to the longer term demographics with all its difficult consequences.  

It is a contemporary document. At this very spot we would today probably find a high-rise building to provide very limited living space for the kid on the bike and his/her own now multiple sons and daughters, maybe even grandchildren. And it's not sure he or her would still ride a bicyle in Beijing, much rather a BEV.

lady hattan was created in New York City, USA – on an East River ferry boat. In the background, blurred but unmistakable, we detect the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge.

The young woman in the picture is a random fellow passenger on the ferry. Her expressive face against the magnificent skyline draws the viewer's gaze and sparks thoughts – about this city, which gathers and inspires people in all their diversity. A fleeting moment, captured – telling a whole story.

Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin, Germany

Kunsthalle Mannheim, Germany

soho stroll happened in the trendy New York neighborhood of SoHo, located South of Houston Street (hence the name) and north of Canal Street, architecturally characterized by the typical cast iron facades. For this SoHo is also called the Cast-Iron District.

The passer-by on the opposite side of the street seems to have walked right out of a Mafia movie: the villain on a casual afternoon stroll. His clothes, the bonnet, his moustache, the baggy pants, his body language - everything evokes a movie scene, recognizable against the cast-iron backdrop of SoHo. Or is it rather a resident artist, a wealthy Bohemian on the way to the trendy coffee parlor around the corner? New York tells a lot of stories. 

The picture shows only a few graphic elements: the figure itself, the cobbled street, the edge of the sidewalk and the partially illuminated, mostly in the shade staircase railings. These few elements communicate with opposite lines to create an exciting composition. The lighting of the late afternoon sun reinforces its effect, especially the presence of our Bohemian and its striking shadow, which matches perfectly with the reduced graphic. The colour graphics also fit well: blue and some white highlights add a fine tune to the dominant street-grey and black background. 

Paris, France

hallo green happened in the residential neighbourhood of the famous Georgetown University in Washington DC, photographed through the window of a living room.

An elderly lady puts finishing touches on her decorations for upcoming Halloween. This year, she features a doll figure, frozen in shock with a wide-open mouth and wide-open eyes, presumably in panic over a scary monster that never appeared. The lady herself, appears completely relaxed, wearing a rustic, beige-green straw hat, lost in thought and highly concentrated on positioning her doll figure - perhaps expecting neighborhood kids or her own grandchildren who eagerly await grandma's friendly horror show?

Barcelona, Spain

Nice, France

pigeon tune happened in Nice, France. A pigeon is taking rest on the headstock of a street musician' guitar. It seems to be part of the show and a regular guest to this very place. The player himself does not seem to mind, quite in contrary: he probably benefits as the unusual setting attracts additional audience attention.

chliché azur happened in Antibes, France, near the central marketplace. Our protagonist is taking a break from his morning routine in the local boulangerie. Even though his outfit is rather one of a professional boulanger, he immediately evokes all clichés of a frenchman from Côte d'Azur: moustache, bonnet (which isn't one), mediterranen appearance. The baguettes he probably produced this morning can almost be smelled. In earlier days he would most certainly have had a Gauloise hanging in the corner of his mouth. Or a glass of Rouge at his lips.

Another cliché azur is the deep blue - azur - colour of the door our protagonist is leaning on. As it appears, it reminds of french artist Yves Klein. Born in Nice, just next to Antibes, he became one of the most important representatives of Nouveau Réalisme in France. He is known particularly for his monochrome blue paintings, for which he created his own "International Klein Blue" colour. Our protagonist certainly adds life and a warm touch to his azur background.

Lisbon, Portugal

Redondo, Portugal

Estoril, Portugal

Estoril, Portugal

Estoril, Portugal

passing by happened near Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech - the central square of the Medina, the old city. In the background we see the minaret of the great Koutoubia Mosque.

An older man with a walking stick may be coming from a mosque visit, now going home or to his salon de thé to meet friends and discuss the day's events. He is wearing the typical Moroccan attire - the djellaba, a long, loose-fitting garment with a pointed hood, and on his head a red cap, called a Fez or Tarboosh.

The shot was taken in passing by, "shot from the hip," with the camera not at eye level, but precisely at the right moment when the man's movement seems to correspond with the mosque tower and the ornate lampposts. The unusual perspective, the slight motion blur, and the tilted axis create an image of passing byness that invites us to focus better on the fleeting moment.

spice square happened in the souks of Marrakech, Morocco. The souks are a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and small squares where countless traders offer their goods – particularly products of Moroccan craftsmanship and food. The many spice merchants usually display their wares in large, open bags – to showcase the vibrant colors and intense aromas which can be scented all around.

spice square depicts a spice merchant – Herboniste des amis – in one of the small squares between the alleyways. The image is blurry and overexposed, so few details are discernible. However, the graphics and composition of the image are exceptional: The lines of the house wall, the cobblestones, the spice bags, even the jellaba of the passing man seem to interact, challenge, and complement each other. The strict geometry and monochrome color scheme are accented here and there by barely recognizable garlic cloves and specks of color on the sign above the shop entrance.

Karatu, Tanzania

sand horizon happened in Giza, Egypt, near the pyramids, on a hot summer morning. Tour guides are waiting for prey - tourists to whom they can show the area for a reasonable fee, either with their donkey carts or on the back of a camel. On this particular morning, demand, at least at this spot, is still limited. Thus, they make for an attractive subject for the photographer.

sand horizon is conceived minimally: the sandy ground, brightly illuminated, barely distinguishes from the whitish light of the sky. Along the horizon line, various figures  - people, animals, donkey carts - are discernible in outlines and reduced coloration. The viewer can feel the day's heat, as well as the sluggishness that has already settled over humans and animals. Whether the picturesque donkey carts invite a ride is not yet decided—they are certainly not comfortable or spacious, but at least they promise to provide some shade and save the weary tourist their own kinetic energy.

beach treat happened in Langebaan, famous beach resort some 120km north of Capetown on the Atlantic coast of South Africa. As a surfer's paradise Langebaan hosts a fair number of very casual authentic beach restaurants with abundant supply of phantastic sea food. Our choice tonight is the famous "Die Stranloper". The atmosphere here is very casual indeed: guests find seating on simple wooden furniture on the beach near a warming fire - yes also in South Africa can Atlanric nights be a bit cold. The food is prepared right on the spot and one can chose from various stands.

Our beach traiteur is active preparing his evening offerings. The workplace, spot-illuminated stands out against the already darker skies with the sun just down as we can detect in the background. We sense what it is all about tonight: still warm sand under the feet, a fresh breeze from the ocean, growing appetite for some oysters or maybe a lobster, a warm campfire to the left, live guitar tunes and a more than relaxed crowd around. May the party begin!