Encounters – Tracing Democracy

Teaching project & exhibition by Sevrina Giard & Prof. Dr. Theo Steiner

Students of Hochschule RheinMain present in their street photography as a foundation meeting places for democratic coexistence.

How can we, using street photography of public spaces, show how important encounters and dealing with differences are for democratic togetherness? In the Communication Design programme at Hochschule RheinMain, students worked on this complex and fundamental question. Using the Jemandsland method by Sevrina Giard and Theo Steiner, the students developed curious and at the same time respectful perspectives on democracy in everyday life. For members of a society to see themselves as parts of a common project, they must respect one another, recognise each other as legitimate citizens, and trust one another. 

But where can understanding, respect and trust arise? With their cameras the students searched for places of encounter and for spaces for successful coexistence — situations and stories that show social cohesion or a sense of community.

Participants 

Pia Soraya Carbone, Anaïs Czeska, Lena Henrich, Charlotte Janus, Henrike Jeschek, Yamrote Kebede-Worku, Jana Niechoy, Andrew Polásek, Mona Schäfer, Abir Spies