Even in these times of continuous technological development, centuries-old customs are still cherished in the Black Forest, a region in south west Germany. In many villages there appears to be a deep-rooted consciousness of tradition across generations. In the past, rites and feast days constituted both compensation for and climax to the harsh daily routines of the peasants’ working year. These practices divided the Christian cycle of the year into festive seasons. Their regular occurrence structured village life and conveyed a feeling of continuity. This project poses questions concerning the significance of customs within our plural society. Seasonal festivals like ‘Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht’ or ‘Trachtenfeste’ each require specific and regulated costumes that serve to confirm identities, but they are from a past era. As we live in a world which claims to offer infinite choices, why would people follow such rigid guidelines? Maybe these rites are kept alive to escape the demands of contemporary life within a rapidly changing world. The Black Forest is one of the most visited recreational spaces in Germany. Festivals and religious processions are maintained and show no sign of being forgotten. Even though society has largely become secularised in the Christian world, another possibility is that these religious events have become commercialised and well established in the tourist calendar.

Solo Exhibition

2024
In Search of Identity, Edmondson Hall, Bloomington, US

Group Exhibitions

2023
Ortsbeschreibung: Traditionen, Fotoforum, Dresden, Germany
Moon, Makers’ Yard, Frome, UK

2021
Influences Allemandes, Parc du Prieuré, Beaucouzé, France

2019
Sony World Photography Awards, Willy-Brandt-Haus, Berlin, Germany
Obscura Festival of Photography, Hin Bus Depot, George Town, Malaysia
Jahresausstellung 19, Klinikum Bremen Mitte, Bremen, Germany
Zuhause, Kunstmuseum Bochum, Bochum, Germany
Sony World Photography Awards, Somerset House, London, UK
Kultur.Erben, Jugendkirche München, Munich, Germany

2018
Studio Culture and Identity, Galerie Flut, Bremen, Germany

2020
Influences Allemandes, Finalist

2019
Felix Schoeller Photo Award, Shortlist
Frese-Design-Preis, Honourable Mention
Obscura Festival, Finalist
Sony World Photography Awards, Winner 2nd Place
Lagois-Fotowettbewerb, Shortlist

2018
Vonovia Award für Fotografie, Shortlist

2020
Publication by Another Place Press

2018
Self-Publication

2019
Sony World Photography Awards
Kultur.Erben

2021
Festival Photographique Influences
It's Nice That
Collector Daily

2019
Photograd
Page

2021
Hinterlands
C41
Two Inadequate Voices

2020
LensCulture
The Guardian
Fototreff Berlin
Another Place
Netzwerk Südbaden

2019
Weserkurier
HfK Bremen
Evangelisch.de
Evangelisch.de

2018
Evangelisch.de

Portfolio and prints available upon request.
Please e-mail: info@christinastohn.com