BLACK IN BERLIN Photography Book

Black in Berlin started two years ago with the idea to capture portraits of 512 Black people in the city of Berlin to create visibility and to allow reflection and connection – with ourselves, others and our environment while at the same time owning our place in the space.

Historical Background: At the turn of the years 1794/95, the last slave ship Sao Jose sank at the gates of Cape Town. 512 black people were on board on their way to Brazil. What does this story have to do with today's microaggressions and Black reality?

In memory of this event Black in Berlin visualizes the reality of the life of 512 Black people in Berlin today. Capturing who we are: an integral part of this city, people of different professions and backgrounds, with different dreams - embodiments of Black identities.

I want to create a space for visualization, empowerment, reflection and encounter. This is aimed to happen in conversation with other people as well as myself. I goal is to dissolve mental boundaries and to question myself in the process. I dream of a Berlin that celebrates all facets of each and every Black person.

This photobook serves to visualize the different facets of black People in Berlin. The city of Berlin becomes a meeting space of these global interconnections and the stories that are often made invisible. This makes the photo book a tribute to the black communities worldwide, for finding strategies to heal & survive together. The book will be published in an edition of 800 copies and distributed worldwide. It is created for the youth who are looking for role models and our ancestors. We show that their work & struggle has not been in vain.

Needless to say, that this book is too for photography and art lovers, artists and collectors of photography and art books.

Since the slave ship San Jose sank and 512 people died, a lot has changed. However, it has remained the same that the fate of Black lives is still determined by the struggle for equality, acceptance and recognition. I would like to photographically document and archive this struggle for posterity. So that later generations can be told about it with the help of this contemporary document. It is well known that most archives are neither politically reflective nor neutral and following this call, Black in Berlin wants to be aware of this responsibility. Thus, the documentary work itself will be taken over and contribute to the visibility of Black people.
For this we count on your support!
With your support you help me to cover the costs for the production of the elaborately designed art book - as a thank you, you will receive a copy of the book. Depending on your wishes and support, there is the possibility to get "Black in Berlin" in different versions - from a simple and signed copy to a book including a valuable edition print of a photograph.
Of course you can also contribute just like that to support me in the realization of this project.

The entire amount will go towards financing the production costs of the photography book. The plan is to produce the images in a special process. We are considering using two different types of paper for the very high-quality printing process.
With your support you help me to cover the costs for the production of the elaborately designed art book - as a thank you, you’ll receive a copy of the book in advance. Depending on your wishes and support, there is the possibility to get "Black in Berlin" in different versions - from a simple and signed copy to a book including a valuable edition print of a photograph. Of course, you can also contribute just like that to support me in the realization of this project.