Autobahninsel

»Autobahninsel« examines the tension of German rest stops between moments of longing, unfulfillable promises, and the capitalist system to which they are subject.

The rest stop is a transit place that can usually only be reached and left by one road - the Autobahn. It is in its nature that most people quickly move through it - they want to continue on their way and not waste time. My photographic work shows partly funny, partly tragic, but almost always touching attempts by operators and employees to turn these transit places into full-fledged places - to make them more personal and homely, to counteract the essential transience of the rest stop stay with a sense of permanence. This may be done through plants, murals, or even a sign reminding visitors that they can sit here.

What statements can be made about society based on these places? Which different life realities meet there? How are rest stops changing, now that electric cars are used more and more and people (that can afford electric cars) need to stay longer?


My imagery may be reminiscent of the New Topographics, but other than in the photographs of the 1970s in my work my position and thus the viewer’s position is inside the image and not outside looking onto something.