Judges
2nd PLACE
Courtesy of Elliot Kreyenberg
Elliot Kreyenberg
Elliott Kreyenberg was born in 1999 and grew up in Cologne, Germany. In 2009 he moved to Berlin where the still lives and works. After finishing Highschool it was clear that it is photography through which he can express himself the best. It was around this time where Elliott developed a political mindset which also translated to his photographic works. Ever since a political claim has been elemental, leading him towards his ongoing studies at Oskreuzschule for Photography. During the end of 2020 he started working on his longterm project about the aftermaths of climate protests - starting at the occupation of the Dannenrder Forest. He spent two moths going back and forth between Berlin and the forest resulting in a series which layed the foundation for a for the ongoing project.
Endzeit
In times where ten nations are responsible for 70% of the world’s Co2 emissions, the question of climate justice and accountability needs to be raised. With China and the US leading, Germany is in sixth place among the industrial nations, when it comes to the pollution of our air and planet.
In recent years, awareness of the topic of climate change has risen, especially amongst young people. A young generation has been politicized and took its protest to the streets.
In Germany, this movement grew and evolved and saw new methods and approaches as people realized that their voices were not heard.
In September of 2019, the Dannenröder Forest was squatted to prevent a multi-lane highway from being build. Two hundred and ten acres of healthy woodland close to Frankfurt (Hesse) were being cut down, which made a mockery of the German government’s ambitious climate targets.
During the one and a half years in which the occupation lasted, it became a symbol for the German climate movement. It raised and emphasized questions on the desperate need for change in ecological management, Co2 pollution, and the need for public discourse.