Retreat

In the past few months, as Germany has oscillated between varying states of lockdown, people – myself among them – have increasingly taken to spending time in nature to take a breath of fresh, mask-free air and reset their often media-overloaded eyes. Because this is allowed only on condition that people remain either isolated or at a distance from anyone outside their houshold bubble, it is really common to see individuals and couples taking exercise in the quieter areas of town and the forrest. To my eyes, forced inward by the ban on casual socialising, they often appear to be in an almost meditative state. Of the many silver linings I have noted bordering the pandemic, this renewed community appreciation of nature and clean air is one I appreciate a great deal. I’ve put together a series of images to illustrate the many passing encounters that inspired this observation.