2021

Usually my work looks at the world through experimental large format colour photography, looking for freedom, peace of mind and the beauty of the individual. In 2020 - 2023 I felt a different urgency: To adapt a classical approach to document the insane changes in society and to preserve this for future generations to maybe one day deal with the trauma. Being honest instead of claiming to be a neutral observer, this resulted in a documentary from the perspective of someone labeled an outsider (that label was thrown around quite a bit in those years)

Like in all of my work there are also layers discussing aspects of the medium of photography itself:

adapting a large format approach to 35mm film: Make every frame count
being honest about the process: The original book includes each frame, every picture taken
reviving the Magnum-style of war-photography for a time of crisis
silver-based photography as a reliable means of archival storage for future generations

The project was continued till the end of 2023 (including part II ‘2023’, a more impatient book). At that point no more changes could be observed; for now it seems that society has become stuck in this newish world order, the project was ended and all the gear sold.

For archival reasons 2021 was printed on continous rolls of photographic paper using a restored Polielettronica Printerstar, a semi-automatic printer from the 90s. Together with the original rolls of film this constitutes the archive for future generations.
An unedited version of the appr. 360 photos resulted in a book made from original prints, and a second version was edited into a book of 99 original prints. From this an edition of 100 books was digitally printed and sold.

For an exhibition this gives some interesting possibilites:

showing the book, unedited or edited version
presenting the original rolls, either 20 cm x 112 m (unedited version) or 20 cm x 30 m (edited version)
adding part II in one of the formats mentioned above

additional links:
pdf: https://dezentrale.art/2021.pdf

Part II, "2023"
slideshow:
pdf: https://dezentrale.art/2023.pdf

Interview about the book:
https://www.haubentaucher.at/2023/11/interview-des-monats-3/