Berliners in Motion: A Photo Collection Highlights People on Their Journeys within the City
Andris Braeuer's photo series "In Transit" offers a poignant exploration of the fleeting moments and stories of people traveling on Berlin's S-Bahn. The series, which will be exhibited at Culterim Studios from August 22 to 24, focuses on those individuals whose paths we are unlikely to cross again.
The idea for "In Transit" was born from Braeuer's desire to understand and reflect on the transient human connections and personal narratives within the everyday commute. The series invites viewers to pause and consider the brief, anonymous interactions during travel, as well as moments of loneliness and isolation.
Braeuer moved to Berlin in 2023 and found inspiration for the series while watching people board trams at Ostkreuz. The series was also influenced by the film "Wings of Desire" by Wim Wenders and a photo series called "Passengers" by John Schabel.
To capture the right moment without being noticed, Braeuer prefers to focus on quiet moments and leave them as they are. He does not engage in conversations with the people he photographs and attempts to understand their state without trying to know their thoughts. There is no mention of Braeuer facing pushback from people when taking their pictures.
The series does not aim to reflect personal relationships with the city, but rather moments of interaction and loneliness. Some photographs in the series evoke feelings of loneliness, while others capture the anticipation, excitement, and sadness that Braeuer had in mind before taking the pictures.
In addition to "In Transit," Braeuer will also exhibit at the Glasgow Gallery of Photography in September, and a separate photo series shot in Vietnam will be featured in Frayme magazine. The "In Transit" series serves as an experiment for Braeuer to grow his empathy and understand people more, offering a unique and thought-provoking glimpse into the lives of Berlin commuters.
[1] Quote from the press release for the "In Transit" exhibition at Culterim Studios.
The "In Transit" series, born from Andris Braeuer's curiosity about transient human connections during travel and everyday commute, invites viewers to ponder brief, anonymous interactions that often occur while traveling. This poignant exploration of lifestyle during transit, on display at Culterim Studios from August 22 to 24, reveals moments of loneliness and isolation experienced by commuters, drawing inspiration from films like "Wings of Desire" and John Schabel's "Passengers."
