In the heart of Berlin, amid the hustle and bustle of the city's urban landscapes, an artist is redefining the way we view our surroundings. Anton Hangschlitt, a photographer who finds beauty and resonance in spaces often overlooked, has recently launched his first publication, WHERE WE ARE. The book, a collection of sixty photographs shot on CineStill 800T film, offers a thoughtful examination of Berlin's underground locales through Hangschlitt's unique visual lens.

Born and raised in Berlin, Hangschlitt's fascination with the city's architectural variety and the silent beauty of urban spaces is what drives him. "These places get neglected and for most people only serve the purpose of transit," he explains. "But once I started looking at these places in a different way, I started to see that they're all different and really have interesting architecture on their own."

Hangschlitt's creative journey is rooted in a family deeply involved in the arts. Despite growing up around visual arts and music, his passion for photography didn't fully ignite until a college course and a group of friends introduced him to the magic of analog photography. "It’s kind of funny that I’m so obsessed with photography now because it’s something that I didn’t really pursue in my childhood. I’m actually still quite new to photography, but still think that this medium is the one for me to express my creativity." he shared.

Hangschlitt’s approach to his work is an amalgamation of deliberate framing, leading lines, and intentional color use. He describes his process: "When it comes to photographing these places, it all comes down to what you leave out of the frame... I look for leading lines and geometry to guide the eye of the viewer and honestly find satisfaction in a final image that serves the purpose of the classic rule of thirds."

In WHERE WE ARE, Hangschlitt presents a compelling portrayal of Berlin's urban scenery. His photographs emphasize the isolation and anonymity concealed within the city's underground spaces, capturing them in a state of suspension. A standout image from the collection, "Jail time," taken at the bustling Alexander Platz subway station, exemplifies his ability to depict these spaces in a new light.

Hangschlitt also underscores the significant role analog photography plays in his work, citing it as more in line with his aesthetic sensibilities compared to digital photography. He appreciates the slower process and the warmth and grain that film stocks offer, saying, "Analog photography gives me a lot more ease of mind when it comes to the final look of a photo."

Limited first edition run of 100, WHERE WE ARE reflects his belief in process over perfection. "Everything is part of a bigger process that never ends," he says, expressing his newfound understanding that creating art often involves producing less than perfect results. The limited release, he says, was not meant to create exclusivity but rather to gauge his reach. Long story short, he didn’t realize he would sell out so quickly. He adds, “I’m working on a second edition that will be more accessible very soon.”

In describing the design choices fo his zine, Hangschlitt highlights the importance of letting the images speak for themselves. He says, "I tried to produce some kind of distance but also comparability between the images and by leaving out any form of text explanations to let the images speak for themselves and not guide the reader too strongly into a specific direction." This is evident as your turn the pages, being continuously presented with more mystery and questions as your travel through his zine.

Looking ahead, Hangschlitt envisions a continuation of his exploration of urban spaces, with an emphasis on refining and streamlining his style. He says, "I have this vision of streamlining my style and making it even more quickly recognizable." Make sure to follow him on Instagram and visit his website, you won’t want to miss what this emerging photographer puts out next!

GALLERY

Anton Hangschlitt - “Where We Are”

Photographs: Anton Hangschlitt
Pages: 124
Images: 60
Dimensions: 17 cm x 24 cm Portrait format 
Cover: 300g/m² rough natural paper white FSC® certified
Paper: 120g/m² rough natural paper white FSC® certified
Self Published
First edition limited to 100 printings, SOLD OUT.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Michael Behlen is an instant film addict and the founder and publisher of Analog Forever Magazine. For the last six years, Behlen has become an obsessive community organizer in the film photography world, including launching the independent publishing projects PRYME Magazine and PRYME Editions, two enterprises dedicated to the art of instant film. Through these endeavors, he has featured and published 200+ artists from around the globe via his print and online publications.

He has self-published two Polaroid photobooks -Searching for Stillness, Vol. 1 and I Was a Pioneer, literally a boxed set of his instant film work. His latest book, Searching for Stillness Vol. II was published in 2020 by Static Age. He has been published, been interviewed, and been reviewed in a quantity of magazines and online publications, from F-Stop and Blur Magazine to the Analog Talk Podcast. He loves the magic sensuality of instant film: its saturated, surreal colors; the unpredictability of the medium; it’s addictive qualities as you watch it develop. He spends his time shooting instant film and backpacking in the California wilderness, usually a combination of the two.

Connect with Michael Behlen on his Website and on Instagram!

RELATED ARTICLES