BERLIN ENSEMBLE

GER | 2017-2021

There he is. The Messiah.

Right there in front of the toilets in this particularly ugly
multipurpose hall in Dortmund, GER. June 25th 2017.

Beads of sweat are running down his face. He seems
exhausted and tense - he knows what’s at stake. Last
preparations are on the way. Meanwhile he’s playing
with his hands, impatiently waiting for his big
performance. The same night, the speech of an
energetic man is broadcasted throughout German
living rooms. A man who seems confident and
statesmanlike. Behind him, on the edge of the stage,
the big red letters of his party; SPD. Beneath him,
frenetic party members.

The story of candidate for chancellor, Martin Schulz, is 
without a doubt one on rise and fall. And yet, it can also 
allegorise the absurd campaigns steered by consultants 
and officials who, by trying to provide the highest level
of authenticity for their candidate, carry the risk of losing
this exact authenticity along the way.

In February 2017, with regard to the upcoming German
federal elections, I started visiting political events in
order to explore recurring patterns in political 
campaigning.

BERLIN ENSEMBLE

Recurring patterns in
political campaigning.

GER | 2017-2020

There he is. The Messiah.

Right there in front of the toilets in this
particularly ugly multipurpose hall in 
Dortmund, GER. June 25th 2017.

Beads of sweat are running down his face. 
He seems exhausted and tense - he knows
what’s at stake. Last preparations are on the
way. Meanwhile he’s playing with his hands,
impatiently waiting for his big performance.

The same night, the speech of an energetic 
man is broadcasted throughout German
living rooms. A man who seems confident
and statesmanlike. Behind him, on the edge
of the stage, the big red letters of his party; 
SPD. Beneath him, frenetic party members.

The story of chancellor candidate Martin
Schulz is without a doubt one on rise and
fall. And yet, it can also allegorise the absurd
campaigns steered by consultants and
officials who, by trying to provide the highest
level of authenticity for their candidate, carry
the risk of losing this exact authenticity along 
the way.

In February 2017, with regard to the upcoming 
German federal elections, I started visiting
political events in order to explore recurring 
patterns in political campaigning.