History of origin:
‘Facing the Vine’ was created in the mystical atmosphere of a late October afternoon near the Wahlheimer Hof. Inspired by the hypnotic dance of a single vine tendril in the mild autumn wind, the picture captures that magical moment when nature and imagination merge. The intensely red-coloured leaves not only seem to dance, but also form fleeting figures - perhaps even a face? This observation became the starting point for an artistic exploration of the boundary between visible reality and projected perception.

Description:
With the technology of the Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) the breeze is translated into a painterly abstraction. Targeted, oscillating camera movements during the long exposure create the impression that the rubble is dissolving into flowing colour trails. The composition plays with the human tendency towards pareidolia (the recognition of faces in patterns) - the dancing leaves constantly form new, fleeting shapes. The technique underlines the central theme of the subjectivity of perception: what one person sees as random movement, another recognises as an animated being.

Special features:
“Facing the Vine” is unique in its anthropomorphic quality. While other works in the series abstract landscapes, this image personifies nature itself. The specific combination of ICM and natural wind creates an organic dynamic that no digital post-processing could ever achieve. The intense red of the leaves contrasts with the gentle movement, creating a tension between energy and grace.

Connection to the exhibition:
The work perfectly embodies the theme ‘Between Reality & Vision’ by exploring the boundary between observed nature and subjective interpretation. It challenges the viewer to ask themselves: Do I really see a face in the vine leaves, or am I just projecting it? This allows the individual character of perception to be experienced directly.

Reference to Rheinhessen:
The various settlements in Rheinhessen, in this case the adopted home of Hof, exemplify the traditional wine culture of Rheinhessen. ‘Facing the Vine’ transforms this culture into an almost mythological narrative - as if the vines themselves were telling stories from past generations of winegrowers. The work reminds us that behind every bottle of wine there are not only grapes, but also centuries of human relationships with the landscape. The title deliberately plays with ambiguity: it is about both the physical ‘facing’ of the vine and the challenge of confronting nature and its secrets.