The generation born after the end of the Cold War today takes democracy for granted. But only thirty years ago it was being fought for. People rallied together , spoke out and even risked their lives while attempting to escape from the socialist DDR.
My parents, at only 19 years of age, fled the republic with nothing but their clothes and two small carrier bags, heading for the west. Using my photographic essay, I’m trying to recapture their growing up in totalitarian socialism, shedding different perspectives on the matter. At the same time I want to point out my generations fortune of being able to live under democratic rule.
Pictures are the modern generations primarily way of communication, hence I chose a photographic essay to work on the matter, as there have been lots of novels being written about it before. The cased photo book shows places, important documents and portraits. The aesthetics of those and of the design give an insight into what life looked and felt like during the existence of the DDR.