History of origin:
At the end of February, when the last traces of winter had already disappeared and an expectant mood was in the air, my path led me to one of my favorite places in the Zornheim vineyards. On the path to the chapel, as you approach from Wahlheimer Hof, stands this striking solitary tree - a silent sentinel in the middle of the rows of vines. What particularly touched me that day was not just the tree itself, but how it acts as a destination and resting point along the way. The rows of vines seemed to run towards it like a natural trellis, an invitation to linger on the bench below. At that moment, I realized that this tree is representative of all those special places we visit on our daily journeys - familiar anchor points in the landscape that become companions in our lives. I wanted to capture this connection between people, paths and fixed points in the landscape in “Flying Vines”.

Description:
In “Flying Vines” I visualize the dynamics of the path to the destination. Using the technique of Intentional Camera Movement, I performed a zoom movement during the shot that creates the impression that the rows of vines are flying or flowing past on both sides. This deliberate camera movement during the shot transforms the static vines into flowing lines that all converge towards the central tree.

The monochrome realization enhances the graphic quality of the composition and creates a timeless, meditative atmosphere. The contrast between the dynamic, flowing lines of the rows of vines and the vertical presence of the tree creates a visual tension that inevitably leads the eye to the center of the picture. The tree itself appears slightly blurred, like a vision or memory - not completely tangible and yet unmistakably present.

Special features:
The uniqueness of this work lies in its visualization of movement and arrival. The technique of ICM allows me to capture not just a place, but an experience - the feeling of being on the move with a clear destination in mind. The rows of vines are transformed into lines of movement that lead the viewer towards the tree, recreating the physical experience of walking through the vineyards.

The duality of the image is also remarkable: on the one hand, it conveys a sense of speed and forward movement, while on the other, the central tree radiates a deep sense of calm and stability. This tension between dynamism and stillness reflects our own experience of the landscape - the balance between movement and pause, between path and destination.

Connection to the exhibition:
“Flying Vines” embodies an important aspect of the exhibition concept ‘Metamorphoses of Silence’. It shows how moments of stillness and contemplation can arise from movement. The tree as a destination and resting point in the middle of the dynamic lines symbolizes those places of stillness that we consciously seek out in our lives - places where we can pause, reflect and draw new strength.

In conjunction with the other works in the exhibition, “Flying Vines” opens up a further dimension: it addresses the relationship between people and the landscape, between movement and lingering. While some paintings explore the quiet presence of the vineyards themselves, this work shows the active dialog between man and his surroundings - the way we create and follow paths, how we orient ourselves in the landscape and find personally meaningful places.

Reference to Rheinhessen:
The solitary trees in the vineyards of Rheinhessen are characteristic elements of this cultural landscape. Unlike in more densely wooded regions, where individual trees would be less conspicuous, here they develop a special presence and personality. They not only provide shade and ecological niches, but also serve as orientation points and meeting places - as social spaces in the middle of the production landscape.

The path to the chapel in the Zornheim vineyards shown in the picture is part of a dense network of paths that criss-cross the Rhine-Hessian landscape. These paths connect villages, vineyards and special places and have been used by locals for generations - be it for a morning walk with the dog, for work in the vineyard or for walks on days off.

What makes this specific place so special is its dual role as an everyday waypoint and a spiritual place due to its proximity to the chapel. This combination of everyday life and transcendence is characteristic of the Rhine-Hessian cultural landscape, in which religious elements such as wayside shrines and crosses are harmoniously integrated into the landscape and thus bear witness to the region's long cultural tradition.

“Flying Vines” captures this specific quality and shows how the vineyards of Rheinhessen are not only production areas, but also spaces of experience and soul - places where nature, culture, work and recreation come together and form a distinctive regional identity.