Walk Good; Be Kind

A path is not just a distance between two points. Some paths lead over safely paved roads, some over uncomfortable gravel, or soft forest floors, and open fields. Some show early on where they are heading; others lose themselves with every step. What seems clear in the distance changes as you draw closer. Still other paths cross for a moment, briefly connect, and then part ways again. As different as paths may be – in the end, choosing which one to walk is always a conscious decision.

In the spring of 2024, we set off on foot along the “Wanderweg der Deutschen Einheit” (“Trail of German Unity”), a symbolic route connecting Aachen and Görlitz. Over a total of 1,080 kilometers, we traversed North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Thuringia, Bavaria, and Saxony. Philipp walked from Aachen to Görlitz, Maximilian from Görlitz to Aachen. Two opposite directions, one shared goal: to meet people and get to know Germany from their perspective.

Along the way, our route led us not only through changing landscapes and historic places, but above all to the people who shape them. We spent hours with hosts in their homes, on farms, in monasteries, around campfires, or at the local tables of marksmanship clubs. We listened, asked questions, and spoke about hopes, fears, memories, and visions of the future. Fleeting encounters turned into conversations, and conversations into trust.

From our documented observations of this journey emerges a nuanced, multi-layered portrait of Germany. Between everyday life, changing landscapes, and spontaneous encounters, we searched for what connects us as a society. People still think in opposites far too often: East or West, right or wrong. But reality is rarely black or white. Even black-and-white photographs consist of countless shades of gray. Our project does not ask for simple answers; instead, it attempts to make the subtle nuances visible and tries to show that unity is a fragile, continuously negotiated concept – a connection that cannot be taken for granted, but is constantly reshaped through encounters, exchange, and the willingness to listen.

Fondament has selected a photograph by Maximilian Gödecke for the Instagram feature Bildgespräche (Image Conversations) within the collaborative project and open call "Ich seh' etwas, was du nicht siehst." In the frame of this collaborative Artist Feature, we've asked him some questions to lift the veil and reveal the backstory behind the series’ opening image.

What do most people notice at first glance when they look at this image?

Most people probably notice the horse first, and in the background, the young girl doing a cartwheel. Many viewers are immediately reminded of Pippi Longstocking or at least spontaneously associate the image with her especially because of her distinctive boots.

What is something that people often overlook?

I believe that many people subconsciously sense something else but don’t immediately grasp it: Suddenly, it becomes clear that all the people in the picture actually remain anonymous. The horse, on the other hand, is the only living creature that is clearly visible and not anonymized. I think that’s exactly what makes it such a beautiful and interesting detail.

Which detail is most important to you, and why?

For me, however, there isn't a single detail in this picture that stands out as particularly important. Rather, the effect comes from the interplay of all the elements. Without the horse, the girl in the background doing a cartwheel would probably be less noticeable. Without the people in the foreground, you might not realize that this is a family out on an walk together. The background also plays an important role: The clouds and the rather simple surroundings create a clear spatial arrangement and help to distinguish the various elements from one another. What matters most is the overall picture and the way in which all the elements interact with one another.

What reality does this image bring to light?

To me, this picture conveys, above all, a certain lightheartedness in approaching life. It shows that play and playing are a wonderful and important part of our lives. Doing a cartwheel is something that children, in particular, do, and I wonder why. When do we stop simply doing a cartwheel just because we enjoy the play and the movement?

What do you hope people will take away after seeing this image?

What I'd love most is for people to look at this picture and ask themselves, "When was the last time I did a cartwheel?" and think about how they can incorporate play and the wonderful lightheartedness that a child brings to the world more into their own lives.