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Candid, detached street photography. Observing peoples social interactions, behaviours and habits on the periphery of the space.
The term ‘decisive moment’ is less impactful today than when it was coined by Henri Cartier-Bresson. Nevertheless it uses composition and timing to summarise sequences into single images. This approach is used to frame visitor behaviours on the corners of the memorial.
A detached method is relevant to avoid any performative reactions from visitors being observed. The intention is to recognise peoples behaviours, including rule-breaking, without encouraging it.
As one security guard reflected: “The interaction of the memorial is a reflection of society”. Society is flawed, and behaviours are not perfect when free to interpret autonomously.
Over 5 days in April 2022, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Germany was the subject of a photography project. The aim of which was to visually interpret some of the complex historical, political, and societal contexts behind the counter-monument.
The objectives of this project were: To document the spatial and social interactions; to give balanced attention and time to the positive and negative outcomes of the space; and to explore counter-photography ideas which aim to convey the architects vision.
During this period several visual strategies were developed to photograph the memorial: From the architectural space — to visitors behaviours. In addition, experimentations with concepts and camera manipulations aim to convey abstract themes of a “field of otherness” and being “lost in space and time”.
The final portfolios present a variety of interpretational photographic approaches that collectively illustrate contrasting perspectives of the subject.
Sincere thanks to the Stiftung Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas for granting permission to photograph. In particular Sarah Friedrich as the point of contact throughout.
Additional gratitude is passed-on to the memorial security team for their time to accommodate and inform the project on a daily basis.
Thank you to Erdem Tuzun at Eisenman Architects for assisting in the research of this project. And to Peter Eisenman for realising the memorial itself. The spatial design of which has inspired this photographic enquiry.
Editor: Bryn Edward Davies BA MA FRSA.
Producer: Indigenous Design and Photography Ltd.
The complete project is available for download here.
This project is a case study to demonstrate design thinking can inform photography practice.
The contents of this document are solely for academic, and non-commercial purposes. No work presented in this document can be published without receiving written permission.