Martin Richter

WAYS TO NEVERLAND

Since the birth of my second son, I regularly accompany him down the path to Neverland. At first in the hospital, later in my apartment, and in the course of the following weeks and months in many different places, I find myself walking back and forth, the child closely entwined in my arms.

By the way I should mention that I am pretty good in this exercise. My first son already calmed down quickly in my embrace what might have its cause in my own relief from stress when I move around walking and rocking. However at times I feel a little strange doing so. This behaviour, that should be considered as a common part of childcare, sometimes reminds me of some strange and ancient ritual – in a way the contrary to the fast and target-oriented society of today.

Driven by this observation, I started to watch the way other parents carried their children and to take their pictures. The result is the photographic essay "Ways To Neverland" that describes the different and very personal characteristics of one of the earliest physical relationships that human beings develop.

My intention was to create photographs that show human bodies which dissolve and melt into each other at the same time. In order to do so I shot for each picture a series of images which I merged later digitally.