This was my final project for Editorial Photography last quarter. The file is REALLY big, so you may just want to press download and go do something while you wait for it to load.
OR... you could read the article that goes with it while you wait. That would make me pretty happy. There are 4 pictures missing from this series, because I wanted to cut down the loading time for you guys. There's a possibility that maybe one day I'll make this into a calendar, or something of the sort.... I have Adobe InDesign, and it would be ubercool if I could make a magazine layout or something and post it like a real article. Though, with the small amount of spare time I've had recently.... I doubt that will happen any time soon.
PLEASE READ BELOW!!!
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FlohMarkt
In Berlin, Germany the first organized flea market was Straße des 17 Juni. Asking anyone on the streets, they’ll point you in the direction of Mitte to see the busy, crowded space just outside the Tiergarten Bahnhof station. Tourists, locals, old and young alike all gather every Sunday to see this main attraction of Berlin. It is in the heart of Berlin, near the Victory Tower, the Technical University, and Berlin’s famous Zoo. It holds a variety of items, and sellers, bartering their variety of goods to everyone that seems interested. You can find trendy furniture, buttons, doorknobs, clothing – virtually anything. Once you’ve found anything and everything you’ve wanted, you can take a break at ‘PINK Ketchup Boys’ food stand. Crepes, French Fries Bratwurst, and Soups to satisfy the hungry browsers’ stomachs, they are there to please. Or you could grab a double scoop of your favorite ice cream on the way in as the vendor stands always serving customers and their sweet tooth.
The life of these markets, not just at 17 Juni is just as vibrant at every one. Berlin’s diverse culture and residents add a different spice to more than 15 flea markets in the area. Every market has a different feeling, maybe there are more antiques, more oddities, or the atmosphere has that calm, airy feeling like everyone there is part of a family. If one seller can’t make change for your purchase, all he needs to do is ask his neighbor and they gladly lend him the change without hassle, because everyone is there for each other.
People selling items at the flea markets usually have stores that they sell in during the week, and on weekends they close shop and open stand at the flea markets. This is the case for the two owners of Zapp Art, a furniture store in Mitte. Ana, a local resident born and raised in Germany has been selling in flea markets for over 30 years, and her resume lists selling in other places around Europe, including the famous Borghetti Flaminio flea market in Rome. “…I can’t imagine spending my Sunday any other way,” she proclaims. Her partner in business is Welsch, and also sets up stand with her each Sunday at 17 Juni. They go to this market specifically because of the large amount of traffic that comes by, and for the variety of customers.
Other popular markets in Berlin include Boxhagner Platz in Friedrichshain which has grown in massive amounts since its small beginnings in 1999. Locals call this market a ‘gem’ for its young adult contribution. From designer t-shirts, to items that people just don’t want, it has a great blend of items, with each seller having a story. Most of the t-shirt vendors are the actual creators of the designs selling at the market. For example, Tobias Herrmann designs t-shirts with his friend Martin Krusche. They only sell at flea markets and in their online store. They have been selling the Yackfou name for three years now, and now have a demand for their t-shirts, but Tobias stays true to the market, still selling every Sunday at Boxhagner Platz.
Antiques can be found at most any flea market in Berlin, and range from the first hair dryers ever made to war trophies, and every antique has a story to go with it. Most of the things being sold were personally gained by the seller through some point in their life and when you pick the item up to take a closer look the seller is usually very happy to tell you how they came across it, even in the case of photos. “The book is full of pictures of my grandparents” one seller notes. When closing it, people are told to leave it open, “..so other people can look, and laugh. Its okay if ten people walk by and don’t buy [it], the best part is seeing their reaction to the old photos”
It is impossible to see everything in one week, the different markets each deserve their own day of exploration, and more than one visit. Some vendors are unable to attend every week, such as a poster seller at 17 Juni. “I try to come every week, but sometimes other things get in the way” Sometimes it’s the weather. Gloomy conditions keep the customers, and the sellers away. “If its raining, I can’t be sure that my posters will be safe, even under the tent so I don’t always come,”
The warm, friendly atmosphere is what attracts people to the flea markets in Berlin, and the prices are cheap, compared to other countries. “London is much too expensive for my tastes,” a tourist from England adds, “I come here once a year to see what they’ve got going on, and every year I go home happy with a new treasure.”
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Edit: I thought it would be important to add that I do not know ANY people in ANY of the images. People were not placed, or anything. None of the inatimate objects were arranged by me either. I took pictures of things I saw, the way I found them. This is one of the most difficult projects I have ever done. Not only did I have to make it interesting, but I had to have interviews, I was terrified I would have a huge language barrier, and never get any real information. Also, in general, German people HATE having their pictures taken. No lie. These people growled, spit, yelled and even at one point pushed me away from them. It did not matter if I spoke German to them, and asked them first. They simply did not want to comply. I was told by one local that the reason people at flea markets in particular do not want photos taken is because of the high amount of stolen goods there, but that still doesn't explain the people buying there.