In May 2024 I had a very special honor - a solo exhibition of my TAXI project at the Leica Store in Chicago. The days before were marked by anticipation and a bit of stage fright. After all, Chicago is one of the most fascinating cities in the USA and Leica is highly regarded worldwide. The fact that I was able to present my images there was an honor and an special experience.
My Taxi photographs show portraits and fleeting, emotional moments in the rear-view mirrors and interiors of taxis from various cities. I love recording stories of these small but intense encounters. In Chicago, my series was very well received: The locals seemed to quickly sense that you can always find the same familiarity in a taxi even when you're abroad — regardless of whether it's traveling in New York Tokyo or London.
On the evening of the vernissage, the atmosphere was fantastic. The store quickly filled with curious eyes and open ears, and the conversations revolved around my paintings, urban solitude, surprising rides and the excitement of meeting the unknown. This combination of art, technology and personal stories is what has always inspired me about LEICA.
The second day in Chicago was Workshop on street photography dedicated. Together with a diverse group, we roamed the streets around the store. For me, street photography is the art of capturing life in its pure, unadulterated form — a moment, a moment that will never be the same again. In Chicago, you can find countless motifs for this: from the skyscrapers in the Loop to the street art on the side streets to the people who travel around the city at the vibrant pace of the metropolis.
The workshop participants brought a wide range of experiences with them. Some wanted to learn how to photograph authentic scenes with LEICA technology, others asked for tips to feel more confident in photography in general. Together, we discovered a wide range of motifs and learned how to play with reflections, shadows and architectural features.
In the evening, after an inspiring day on the streets and in the alleys, I sat with Dan Tamarkin from LEICA and my colleague Arina Dähnick in an original Italian diner and let the impressions sink in — what a day.
It was a wonderful experience that inspired me on my journey as a photographer — and reminds me to always remain curious and make space for special moments.
Chicago, I'll see you again — whether in my pictures or in real life.
