‘Halt und Verlangen’
For the magazine ‘Der Beobachter’ in Zurich, I often took photos late at night. these photo reportages in the deep and dark hours of the night got noticed. for an article titled ‘Halt und Verlangen’, I was asked to take photos of teenagers who hang out at railway stations at night. ‘Halt’ can be translated as ‘hold’. In small villages in Switzerland the train only stops when you push the ‘Halt’ button. Even though this word means ‘to hold’, it can also mean ‘to support’, which suits the ‘coming of age’ subject. Hanging out at the train station is the obvious choice: There is light, somewhere to sit, a convenient vending machine for sweets, it is not private ground and, most importantly, it is free.
Finding those teenagers I photographed that winter night in a remote Swiss village was like finding wild animals on safari: I had to approach them carefully and without rushing into it. I acteD uninterested at first, just like they do themselves at times, until they became curious about me. Finally, they made the first shy steps towards me while I was patiently waiting with my camera, ready for action. Once they decided to trust me, I was able to move freely and capture their late-night moments authentically. I noticed them hiding in dark corners and speaking quietly in a language that was almost foreign to me, part of their subculture.
While diving into their world for one night, memories of my own teenage years arose. Feeling uncomfortable in my own skin and the realization of constantly comparing and doubting myself, and looking for places to feel truly present. They were clearly enjoying a moment of freedom that night, away from family regulations and obligations, withstanding the cold, exploring boundaries, approaching the opposite gender and acting foolish. I loved being there.
