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Klabautermann (Ongoing)

The ongoing project is a poetic visual exploration of maritime folklore and the profound superstitions held by seafarers. Inspired by the photographer's upbringing near the North Sea, the series draws deeply from Seemannsgarn — a German term that literally translates as "sailor's yarn," referring to the fantastic tales spun by sailors, rich with adventure, mystery, and the unbelievable: the legend of the Flying Dutchman, a cursed captain and his crew of ghouls condemned to sail the seven seas until the end of time; visions of St. Elmo’s fire dancing atop ship masts during fierce storms; and the myth of the Klabautermann. The Klabautermann is an elusive figure in maritime legend — a red-haired goblin who moves unseen aboard ships. He is said to help by stowing cargo and drumming against the ship's hull, signaling to the carpenter where urgent repairs are needed (hence the name, derived from the Low German “klabastern,” meaning “to rumble”). Though helpful, sailors feared setting eyes on the Klabautermann, as his appearance was associated with impending doom — not least the loss of the ship itself. "Klabautermann” evokes the mystery and allure of the sea, conveying mankind's eternal fascination and burning desire to explore its vastness — along with the unpredictable, sometimes menacing aspects that are bound up with this obsession.

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