Last week an article about my pinhole camera project has been published in the latest edition of the photography magazine "CHIP FOTO VIDEO". Many thanks to Margit Hofgärtner for the great text about my work. Sorry guys there is no english version available...

My photographs are exposed to light for a longer than average amount of time, thererfore every picture has its own story. One year ago on this day, I collected a camera in Seoul, South Korea. This is how the image was made. The photography was exposed to light for two months and as is often the case when hiding or seeking for my cameras, I was not alone. On this day I was with a South Korean named Jin, a traveller who I met in Morocco some time before. Back then in Marrakesch, I told him about my ongoing project and mentioned that currently there are also cameras in his hometown of Seoul. He immediately became curious and enthusiastically offered to help me collect some local cameras, an offer which I graciously accepted. So it came that a few weeks later on the yearly anniversary of German reunification, we found ourselves were heading out together in Seoul to return to the hiding spots. South Korea has been an ideal location for my pinhole camera project. Over many months and now years, never did any of the cameras I installed there disappear. On this particilar evening we were no less lucky. It was also very interesting to hear how he feels about living in South Korea, and in particular of the role the military is playing in this country to secure the border with the north. This experience reminded me that not that long ago my home country was similarly seperated, yet how long ago that feels and how distant that experience feels from my present reality. These encounters reflect just some of the things I love about travelling. From a distance I inevitably see my home through different eyes. With these newly found foreign eyes, I realize that despite all of the imperfections I sence, there is still so much to be greatful for.

Last weekend I was able to pick up another pinhole camera this time in Equatorial Guinea, to be more precise in Malabo. The capital lays on an island next to the western coast of Africa. Normally it is not permitted to take pictures there. However, this did not stop me from installing three pinhole cameras. Picking them up again after a long period of time was quiet an adventure. Unfortunately, one of them was missing, while another camera was protected by new undergrowth which I could not penetrate. In the past seven months the plants grew so fast, so much so that I would have needed hiking boots and a machete to make my way through it. I was starting to get upset, as I really wanted to take a picture of this exotic, tourist-free location home with me! However, I urged myself on through plants being as high as my belly button; onward past huge rock pools and numberless colorful geckos. Finally I reached the object of my desire. After seven months the camera was almost fully integrated within its surroundings. It had become completely covered with climbing plants, creating a near-perfect camouflage. My happiness was, and still is endless when recalling this experience. I got what I wanted; a piece of Malabo to take home and to share with you today.

Last weekend I was able to pick up another pinhole camera this time in Equatorial Guinea, to be more precise in Malabo. The capital lays on an island next to the western coast of Africa. Normally it is not permitted to take pictures there. However, this did not stop me from installing three pinhole cameras. Picking them up again after a long period of time was quiet an adventure. Unfortunately, one of them was missing, while another camera was protected by new undergrowth which I could not penetrate. In the past seven months the plants grew so fast, so much so that I would have needed hiking boots and a machete to make my way through it. I was starting to get upset, as I really wanted to take a picture of this exotic, tourist-free location home with me! However, I urged myself on through plants being as high as my belly button; onward past huge rock pools and numberless colorful geckos. Finally I reached the object of my desire. After seven months the camera was almost fully integrated within its surroundings. It had become completely covered with climbing plants, creating a near-perfect camouflage. My happiness was, and still is endless when recalling this experience. I got what I wanted; a piece of Malabo to take home and to share with you today.