History of origin:
In the last days of the year, when the landscape was covered in a soft white layer, I discovered this particular vine on a quiet morning in the vineyards of Rheinhessen. It was one of those moments of intense clarity when you suddenly realize the personality of a plant. The vine stood there, its canes spread out in all directions - the perennial wood and all of last year's shoots still fully intact. Without its leaves, it showed its pure skeletal structure, and this reduced form revealed an astonishing expressiveness. It seemed as if it was stretching out one last time, projecting all its energy outwards before entering its well-earned resting phase. This gesture of reaching out, this last communication before silence, inspired me to create “Reaching Out”.

Description:
In “Reaching Out” I visualize the energetic radiance of the vine. Using the technique of Intentional Camera Movement, I have performed a zoom movement from the center outwards, transforming the vine into a dynamic force field. This deliberate movement during the shot makes the rods look like beams of energy exploding from the dark core of the trunk in all directions.

The monochrome realization reinforces the expressive, almost graphic character of the composition. The strong contrast between the dark trunk and the lighter outgrowths creates a dramatic tension and emphasizes the vitality that is present in the vine even in the phase of external calm. The white of the background becomes a neutral canvas against which this energy can unfold - a space of possibilities into which the vine reaches.

Special features:
The uniqueness of this work lies in its radial dynamism, which puts the vine in a state of permanent expansion. Unlike classic depictions of vines, which often emphasize their static structure, “Reaching Out” shows the inherent energy that is present even in moments of rest. The blurred movement transforms the vine from a passive object to an active subject - it reaches out, communicates, radiates.

The interplay of strength and vulnerability that is visible in this photograph is particularly remarkable. The vine is shown in its naked, defoliated form - without the protection of its summer canopy of leaves - and yet it radiates a tremendous vitality. This duality reflects the cycle of life, that eternal alternation between expansion and retreat, between expressive power and quiet regeneration.

Connection to the exhibition:
“Reaching Out” embodies an important aspect of the exhibition concept ‘Metamorphoses of Silence’. It shows that stillness does not mean immobility, but a dynamic state of potential. The work reveals how an expressive power lies hidden in moments of apparent stillness - an energy that is directed outwards and shapes the space around it.

In dialog with the other works in the exhibition, “Reaching Out” forms an exciting counterpoint. While some pictures emphasize the lines and structures of the landscape or isolate details in a contemplative manner, this work shows an explosive dynamic. It thus adds an active, outward-looking dimension to the spectrum of “Metamorphoses” and reminds us that stillness can also be a moment of intense communication.

Reference to Rheinhessen:
The vine pictured is a symbol of the vitality and resilience of Rheinhessen's wine culture. The region, which is one of the largest wine-growing areas in Germany, is known for its adaptability and innovative spirit. Over the centuries, Rhine-Hessian winegrowers have learned to deal with the changing conditions and make the best of every vintage.

The rhetorical gesture of “reaching out” is paralleled by the openness of the Rheinhessen wine world. Unlike some more tradition-conscious wine regions, Rheinhessen has reinvented itself time and again, absorbing new influences and looking outwards. This openness is also reflected in the diversity of the grape varieties grown - from classics such as Riesling and Silvaner to international varieties.

The vine shown in the picture with its unpruned state also refers to a phase in the wine-growing year that is of great importance for winegrowers: the time between leaf fall and pruning. During this phase, winegrowers decide which canes to keep for the coming year and which to remove - a decision that has a significant influence on the future development and quality of the vine. This deliberate design, this balance between letting the vines grow and intervening, is characteristic of the quality-oriented viticultural philosophy that is becoming increasingly important in Rheinhessen.