Duration: January 12 - February 23, 2021
BauSchau Düsseldorf, Brehmstraße 41
The exhibition is visible through the window. Considering the still applying distance and hygienic measures, visiting the exhibition is possible only by appointment.
Tuesday, Jan 12 2 - 6 pm
Sunday, Jan 17 2 - 6 pm
Sunday, Jan 24 2 - 6 pm
Sunday, Jan 31 2 - 6 pm
„[…] Spin, world, spin and
send Swifts back
and back and back
to us again!“ *
Stepping out of the door for the first time is always the same movement — and yet every day unique — as I switch the apartment with the feeling of being outside. In that fleeting moment my thoughts are less important, forgotten. The last dream, the to do list, the news, all of that is replaced with a strong impression of affiliation.
Connected to all others. They too are on their way.
A sense of belonging, to exist without any conditions that have to be fulfilled.
The daily dose of vividness in the morning.
The first tactile contact with air.
Every day, in the gray haze and soft rain, or when the sun is out and the sky is clear.
Then embark down the street.
Heeding the trees, breaking rules of traffic and finally following up stream of the little creek.
Music in my ears, alongside the wind that gets caught in my headphones.
The paper mill slowly billows its white steam from the smokestack. For a short while It hovers over the rooftops like a cloud that is drifting lowly and eventually disappears.
A short glance at the church spire.
The first traffic light defines the rhythm of the 5 minutes ride to the next.
Rotating pedals set the pace in which I elbow myself through the wrong direction of the one way street, dodging cars and cyclists that head towards me.
The way to the studio is not that complicated, almost definitively straight.
My attention is divided between my physical surroundings and my being.
The to do list is present again, the last dream reappears and also the crumbs of breakfast that are still sticking in-between my teeth catch my attention.
While riding I playfully leave an imaginary trail on the pavement.
There are a few rules. Don‘t cross manhole covers or road markings and avoid cracks, dents and other damages on the street. Like back in the days, when I wasn‘t allowed to step on the gap between the sidewalk tiles. Only a bit different. Faster.
I follow yesterdays trail.
In the blurred corner of my eyes the creek bank, pedestrians, dogs, ducks, cars, the sports field, cars, the dragon, the park, cars and the trains underpass fly by.
The second traffic light slows me down and forces me to stop. I‘ve never made a green on this one.
The interruption of the ride shifts the focus.
Breathe in, breathe out, feeling the beat of the body and the slight trembling of calves.
The deadlock increases awareness. Taking notice of those around me, waiting or passing by.
The second traffic light is followed by the second church.
Approaching, I once more chase yesterdays trail.
Its always the same, differing only in a few variations, like the people on the square. They are always the same, differing only in a few variations.
Diagonal strips on the entrance gate, behind lies the courtyard with the pine tree. The rooftops of the surrounding houses frame the sky with only the second church peaking into view. The closing of the door leaves the outside behind.
I flick the tiny golden switch on the speaker and a red LED lights up. Before long I hear the music, that was previously playing on the headphones.
* Robert Macfarlane, Jackie Morris, 2020, the lost spells, Hamish Hamilton
Installation views
