These works represent a long-term project created in recognition of the discussion occurring in Germany today regarding the civilian experience immediately following WWII. The hardship endured by a large number of German civilians has long been a taboo topic and is almost completely absent from major works of post-war literature. Over the past two years, however, the topic has surfaced in various areas of public discourse, such as newspaper columns and prominent literary works by Joerg Friedrich and Guenter Grass.

In addition to these recent publications addressing this time period, I am of the belief that the initial position taken by German political leaders on the American-led invasion of Iraq bears significant responsibility for the realisation of this dialogue. Establishing themselves as pacifists on the world stage, I believe, allowed many Germans a safe space in which to explore a dark period in their national past. With these works, I seek to recognize this process.

The black and white images were taken at a mass anti-war protest in Berlin, Germany in February of 2003, and the books are separate texts with WWII associations. The combination of older texts and photographs from the present-day is meant to represent the process of returning to the past and putting back what was previously omitted.