Trost & Trust

On the wall, an installation made from recycled instant-ramyeon packaging consumed in 2020 – each bag bearing diary entries. On a mirrored table, soup bags from 2022 tremble and move, set in motion by a motor. The table legs, made from speakers found on the street, repeat a melodic text:

“One is living (leaving), another dead. One was mine, another becomes smiling. Nothing belongs to none. It’s just here.“

In a world characterized by constant consumption, the question arises: how do our needs and desires influence the balance between what we possess and what we truly need? Consumption is often associated with the pursuit of happiness — be it through material goods, new technologies, or fashion trends. Yet, amid this hectic rush, it is easy to forget that everything is subject to impermanence.

The items we acquire are often fleeting sources of pleasure that quickly lose their appeal, receding into the background as we inevitably search for the next "high." This cycle not only leads to constant dissatisfaction but also places a massive strain on the environment. Resources are depleted, waste accumulates, and our planet bears the cost of our consumption habits.

The impermanence of things confronts us with the reality that nothing lasts forever. The products we buy, the experiences we gather, and even the relationships we nurture are ultimately at the mercy of time. However, this realization can also be liberating. By accepting that everything is temporary, we can learn to appreciate the moment and reorder our priorities.

Rather than getting lost in an endless quest for more, it may be rewarding to focus on the essentials: the quality of our experiences, the depth of our relationships, and the sustainability of our choices. By consuming more consciously and acknowledging the impermanence of life, we can not only lead more fulfilling lives but also contribute to a healthier planet. This work is a practice of living rooted in this idea.

Shown within the group exhibition AN UND AB WESENHEIT (Atelier Frankfurt, 2023), alongside the independent performance Noisy Silence (2023) — three works, spatially connected, conceptually distinct.