Your Rainbow Panorama

This weekend my class visited ARoS museum in Aarhus, Denmark and saw the brand new installation on the roof-- a gigantic rainbow walkway. See for yourself in this short video I made.

Abandoned Clues

Last Saturday my class split into groups of three to go on a several hour long exploratory 'psychogeography photo walk.' Instead of aimlessly wandering the streets of the city, my group took to an abandoned hospital west of Berlin with curiosity as our trajectory. I took another approach, placing myself in the eyes of a detective searching for clues for an unknown mystery. I felt like Nancy Drew as I crept along the corridors, camera in hand, and eyes opened. What I found led to the following story, which is my contribution to my class's book of psychogeography photos that we are creating.

* * *

In the approaching dawn on Saturday, May 14th, a large fire sparked on the grounds of the abandoned Beelitz-Heilstatten Sanatorium. Owners of a nearby restaurant noticed the flames and the fire department soon had it under control. A small crowd had gathered, and as it dispersed a shrill scream rose above the waning smoke. There lay the broken body of a young woman, naked except for a pair of white high-heeled shoes and pink lingerie draped over her eyes.

The body was identified as Rolanda Krause, age 28, who had disappeared from the reception of her own wedding the night before.

I, Kaitlin Randolph Private Eye, was called in to the site of the to see what I could find. Clues are everywhere, it's just a matter of sorting through what I find and making the judgment of whether or not it's vandalism, or evidence.

I start my search outside of the grounds of the northwest quadrant of the abandoned hospital where both fire and body were discovered. I take note of unusual objects, just in case I can link other clues back to these in the future.

I climb into the basement of the ruined building and am met with dirt, grime and rubble. As my eyes adjust to the stiffening darkness I continue my search. Fresh packets of tissue are scattered about the floor. Trash from a recent escapade, or perhaps our killer had a cold.

I make my way up the unsteady steps to the second floor. A large white, ripped tablecloth catches my eye in the distance. Upon closer examination I notice fresh blood spotting a corner, despite there being no blood on the victim.

A short ways away I discover the discarded, clean wedding dress in a heap amongst the rubble. There are no rips, suggesting that it had been taken off without a struggle.

I continue my ascent through the building to the top, forested floor. Lining the stairs are scattered tea candles. More candles are dispersed amongst the roof-top forest. 

While examining the candles I nearly step on a smashed bottle of Rotköppchen wine. Someone had recently had a picnic... with a film camera. Settled in a pile of pine needles lay a lid to a film container.

  

It's 2011, no one shoots in film anymore unless it's for art... or for a particular aesthetic look to wedding photographs. This small clue leads to a heap of new questions. What was the wedding photographers story, and what was his relation to the bride? Nearby is the spot from where poor Rolanda had fallen. The tiling is scratched and broken.

  On my way back down the building a splotch of color that I hadn't noticed earlier catches my eye. I peer into the room and see fresh blood dripping down the wall. Is the killer still in the building?

I enter the nearby abandoned house and hesitantly make my way down the rotting steps and into the basement. I immediately notice hundreds and hundreds of tea candles carpeting the floor. Were tea candles the cause of the fire? Perhaps a tribute to the deceased?

Upstairs, fresh spray paint drips a sweet, yet haunting message on the wall. Around the corner a bottle of Rotköppchen wine is propped in the middle of a useless refrigerator. The sound of floorboards creaking up the stairs catches my attention. Before checking out the source of the sound I turn back to the carefully placed wine bottle. This was set here for a reason. Was this where the killer first took the bride, or was it left for someone else? As I take a photo I hear an echo of a camera shutter. A shutter that is not mine.

Why do I photograph?

Being in a photography course, the questions "What do you photograph?" and "Why do you photograph?" have risen recently. After giving some personal thought to the question of "why" I came up with some reflective reasoning.

Whenever I am cradled in a moment that I want to last forever, I often yearn for the ability to bottle everything that stimulates my senses. That way I could uncork it absolutely whenever I want and inhale my memories of that moment, what I smelled, heard, tasted, felt, thought and saw.

Using an example of a recent picnic atop a Swiss mountain, I would first bottle the soft green grass that I was sitting on. I would then bottle up the gentle breeze that sent whiffs of growing flowers and a hint of manure, wisps of buzzing insects and distant motors, and the lullaby that breezed against my hair. I would gather the warm, sleepy air and the direct sunlight caressing my skin. Finally I would bottle the view. The distant mountains that stretched forever, the wildflowers and distant towns, the brilliant colors and the blanketing sky. A view that no photo could give justice to.

Memories are important to me. Looking at a photograph I, or others, have taken stimulates words, sounds, ideas and feelings. I photograph to capture memories. To categorize moments that I feel are worth remembering forever. To share moments and memories with other. To capture and remember something beautiful, funny, relaxing and/or stimulating. To create a stagnant moment that will live forever regardless of how life carries on. To prove a memory, share a memory, allow the memory to stimulate my other senses to create a moment in my mind whenever I desire.

A Sound Experience

My class is currently working on an audio project dealing with space and place. Each group chose a spot along one of the metro lines (non-place) to record sound, and take photos to coincide with the audio. I chose to go to the Olympic Stadium stop, mainly so I could see the track. It cost us each 3 Euro to get in (even with our discount student ID cards), but it was well worth it. The stadium itself was breathtaking. Beautiful music was playing inside, creating a peaceful, riveting atmosphere. I loved and recognized one of the pieces of music that was playing, but I couldn't place it. I closed my eyes. Images of animals floated through my mind. The carnival of animals, perhaps? No. I had another image of myself dancing, but I would have recognized the music right away if I ever performed to it. So that wasn't it either. The it hit me, the music was from the Carleton College's semi-professional dance group's spring recital a year ago, where the dancers represented animals. I still don't know the name of the piece of music- I'd hum it here, but that won't help anyone reading this to identify it, so never mind.

Berlin's Olympic Stadium

Once we recorded several sounds I went in search of a rumored wildlife reserve/ woods area just south of the stadium with two friends. After much searching we found the woods and spent awhile wandering the expansive trails. Right away we encountered a slew of caterpillar type creatures. At first it was a little disgusting, they were everywhere, but after pausing and listening we were able to hear the sound of them chewing and it was rather remarkable and beautiful in a strange sort of way.

Yes, this is in Berlin

After some more wandering we discovered an abandoned tower of some sorts sitting on top of a large hill. When we got closer we saw that there were 3 nine or ten foot fences surrounding the building with barbed wire. We also saw a few people inside. If they could get in, we could get in. We discovered a large hole in the fence- one that hadn't been repaired yet- and climbed in. It was well worth it.

Between Fences

We discovered a winding staircase and carefully climbed up. We were immediately met with an expansive view of the city and surrounding woods and river.

We continued up the stairs, and found ourselves inside one of the domes. The "wow" that escaped from my lips bounced right back at me several times, demonstrating the beautiful resonance of the room. We spent an hour or so stomping, clapping, whistling, snapping fingers, and singing, to experience with the gorgeous sound.

It was a beautiful day, full of beautiful sounds, moments, photos, and memories.

Rainy Rephotography

In Barcelona my class was drilled the idea and practice of rephotography (re-photographing the exact location and vantage point of an old photograph) over and over again. The first time we discussed this practice everyone was excited about it. I've always been interested in comparing and contrasting places over time, and re-photography does just that. However, We met up with the same group of people over and over to look at the same photographs and the same maps of the city, and eventually everyone was burnt out.

When our professor told us of a re-photography project in Berlin, many groaned. However, I was aware that a friend and fellow student from campus (Kate Trenerry), who had biked across the Berlin Wall the previous summer, was coming to lead our re-photographing.

This morning I woke up early along with 2 of my roommates and Kate, and we went to the Brandenburg Gate with a stack of old photographs. Despite rain and traffic, we had a fun and successful time.

Brandenberg Gate Rephoto

During class we traveled along  Bernauer Stasse, and in pairs rephotographed photos back when the Berlin Wall was erect.

Bernauer Strasse Rephoto

Guten Tag?

It was a hard transition for me to arrive in Berlin after spending nearly six days in the Alps. The soft landscapes, sky-scraping mountains, crystal-cool lakes had been replaced with never-ending pavement, cigarette butts lining every curb, and an unnaturally dirty river. I longed for the fresh air, dark, quiet nights, and brilliant colors that had accompanied me in Switzerland.

Shortly after arriving in Berlin and navigating the metros to our supposed destination I met up with the rest of my group. It was nice seeing everyone who I had bounded with the previous 4 weeks again to exchange hugs, photos and stories.

After a group dinner we all headed to our hostel. My room doesn't have the entire city view that I had in Barcelona, nor does it have a cobble stone street leading towards the mountain, but it overlooks a tiny, dirty courtyard, and it has a cozy bed, a tiny closet, and I have three roommates.

Tiergarten

It took me a few days to warm up to the city. I realized today that my problem was it lacked excitement. Barcelona had the original excitement of arriving in a new place, new country, new continent even... the colorful atmosphere that lined the streets, the music, the people... Switzerland obviously had the thrill of being in the Alps. It had a beautiful, whispering excitement that clung to everything I saw and touched. As for Berlin... the excitement is there, hidden away... I just need to discover it for myself. It's peeked out of hiding every once in awhile, like when I ran through the Tiergarten Saturday morning (a giant park in the smack center of the city), when I went out briefly, despite the windy cold, to do some night photography, when I stumbled upon some May Day festivities and some old woman told me to "Party... it's the weekend! Tomorrow is for working", and when I found a small park about half a mile from my residence while on a run this morning. I just need a sharper shovel here than in Barcelona and Interlaken, but once I dig away at the city I'm bound to uncover the excitement I'm currently craving.

Night Train

The Swiss Do it Best

Between Barcelona and Berlin everyone on our trip had 6 days to travel absolutely anywhere they wanted. In order to satisfy my craving for mountains I chose to go to Interlaken, Switzerland. I fell in love at first sight. It's a small town nestled right in the Swiss Alps, with a large lake on either side, and a turquoise river running in between. The sun was out, flowers were in bloom, and the air was fresh.

A Round-a-bout in Interlaken

The first full day was spent relaxing by the lake on the east side of the town. It was about a 2 mile walk from our hostel. I spent the time skipping walks, taking photos of ducks, and drawing.

View from Beach

The town itself was full of flowers, cute buildings, and chocolate and swiss army knives shops. 1/2 price Swiss chocolate easter bunnies filled the stores.

Flowers Downtown

On Monday I woke up early to run along the river to the western lake, and finished the morning with a free breakfast at the hostel. Late morning we set out on a hike. Unfortunately I couldn't find a decent trail map anywhere. I had asked for suggestions at the front counter of my hostel, but I was encouraged to pay for a train to go to Lauterbrunnen, pay to take a cable car up a mountain, and take a short walk to a waterfall- oh, which I would have to pay to see as well. Instead I opted to head in a general direction, eyes open for trails, and go from there. I spotted one, which was pleasant for about 200 meters until it lead straight into a parking lot of a hotel. I spotted another trail which was actually legit, and took us to the top of a large hill over looking the town. Eager for more, I pointed to a mountain nearby and declared I wanted to hike up that one.

By heading in the general direction, we eventually found trails which led up my mountain of choice. Turns out it was a ridge which led to a trail much higher than what it originally looked like. We first stopped for a lovely picnic lunch.

Picnic View

We continued up, higher and higher, curious as to what was around each corner.

Distant Interlaken

On Top of the World

It was a beautiful hike, well worth the soreness in my calves that arose the following day.

The following day we took the train into Grindelwald. It was very beautiful, perhaps even more beautiful that interlaken, with a small mountain stream running through the valley besides the town, and gigantic mountains cuddling the buildings. Perhaps it's because I wasn't there for as long, or perhaps it was TOO beautiful, but Grindelwald just didn't grab my attention the way Interlaken had.

Mountain River

Grindelwald

Our final day was spent gathering more chocolate, spending more time by the lake, and walking around Interlaken.

It was a wonderful trip, and I was extremely sad to leave the mountains. I appreciated the chance to escape back into nature and fresh air and take a break from cities. My mind was blown over just how easy it was to travel between countries.

The best things about Switzerland/Interlaken:

*The chocolate
*The brilliant color of the river and lakes
*Gorgeous place to run
*Taking a train through the mountains
*The overall beauty
*Hiking
*The gelato
*Fresh tap water
*Sitting by the lakes
*The Alps