The Moments
Is happiness really somewhere in the future?
I believe not.
Neufeldersee, Austria 2020
Live in the moment - enjoy the moment.
It sounds simple but we as human beings have an incredibly difficult time enjoying single moments.
Our modern life is full of obligations and planned from morning to night. We rush from one to the next appointment without stopping. Plus it is an irony of our modern lives that while technology is continually invented that saves us time, we use that time to do more and more things, and so our lives are more fast-paced and hectic than ever. I chased moments like a junkie; constantly looking out for the next high-light. So it is no wonder that I felt life is moving at such a fast pace that it seems to pass me by before I could really enjoy it. I
Life stopped
no bad thing
When during the first lock down life suddenly stopped unintentionally, there was a beneficial deceleration that I (and actually believe all of us) urgently needed. In the beginning it looked like I had a problem - far too many hours to fill, which I would have filled easily before. The constant pressure made me feel to do things - to achieve, to compete, to turn up to everything, to have a full diary. That has been removed.
I began to rediscover the simple pleasures of life; to enjoy the small things and single moments. For myself I found that small sweet moments bring unexpected joy and happiness. They are all little stories, and the real treasure of my life. For that feeling I don't have to travel to an imposing place on the other end of the world. I can enjoy it right here and now if I want.
Enjoy
every single moment
This series is my daily reminder to enjoy the single moment in the present. In my visualization, I focus on my feelings and the connection I have in a moment. I take my time and try to feel life intensely. The less I am distracted, the more intense the feeling is - therefore I only use what is currently available, and no additional technical equipment. I can concentrate on the essentials and I am less distracted. The images are spontaneous moments that I enjoy with my friend Ferdinand Seebacher while we explore together our close environment. I want to pause and breathe life as I tell the story of a moment that I live in, this cannot be planned.
my
invitation
I like to invite the viewer to take a closer look. I want to pick him up in the hectic pace of everyday life to pause for a moment and to feel the mood while examining the image. I want to remind the viewer to enjoy a single moment in the present - as he never knows if that might become a story that will enrich his life.
Share your thoughts with me.
I prefer 1on1 exchanges: I like private conversations since not every thought needs to be published.
You can write me in English or German.
Images and Text © Sascha van der Werf
