Uebergangsheim Schiessstrasse

More about the book

In 1989, Richard Reisen spent several months as a security guard in an asylum seekers' inn at 5 Schiessstrasse in Düsseldorf-Heerdt, bringing his camera along. His photographs exemplify 'participatory observation,' capturing people, situations, and objects with a fresh perspective. Over thirty years later, these images resonate with themes of flight and migration. They include handwritten notes in a visitor's book, vintage sash windows, and a cigarette machine, reflecting a culture where smoking was prevalent. Timeless motifs emerge, such as portraits beside cars, individuals proudly on their bicycles, cooking on a cramped hob, and the long waits next to a running washing machine. The highway in front of the terrace remains, along with the views from the rooms and balcony. A recurring theme is the passage of time, depicted through activities like haircuts, smoking, phone calls, and simply hanging out. These photographs serve as a poignant reminder of the human experience within the context of migration, capturing moments that are both distant and immediate, revealing the everyday lives of those seeking refuge.