The Shape of F. S. is a personal exploration of my great-grandfather‘s history as a soldier who fought in World War One. Through my work, I aim to create a dialogue between the past and the present, illuminating the enduring legacy of World War I and its impact on my family history.
From the charged landscapes of the Western Front to the personal stories of my great-grandfather, I seek to resolve the distance between myself and my great-grandfather, while also grappling with speculative stories and elusive truths. Alongside my great-grandfather and my mother, I act as a third protagonist who fills in the story in his own way and continues it associative.
The visual narrative of this project incorporates traditional documentary photographs of the contemporary landscape as one layer. This is complemented by various elements, including still lifes of found objects, interpretation of old photos, and subjective moments experienced during my journey.
Field letters written by my great-grandfather during his wartime provide invaluable guidance and insight, often detailing places and impressions that I reinterpret more than 100 years later.
These elements are an attempt to visualize the past by photographing the present. How photography can visualize absence is an integral part of the project. These images are also an attempt to fill in the wide gaps in the narrative and to provide possible clues to the questions „What if? What could have been?“.
As a German with a family history deeply intertwined with both world wars, I strive to approach the transgenerational trauma that may have been passed down to me. I hope to come closer to the truth about my great-grandfather‘s experiences and how they influenced my own identity.
Combined, these elements form a fragmented narrative of my great-grandfather‘s history and provide a platform for interpretation that enables reflection on war and memory. While factual knowledge about historical wars is readily available, I believe that the emotional dimension is often overlooked, even though it can contribute significantly to a deeper understanding of these complex issues
Author biography
Arne Piepke (1991) is a photographer who grew up in a small village in Germany. Country life, traditions and working-class community characterise his work to this day. These influences are reflected in his photographic exploration of themes such as tradition, identity and history. Motivated by his own search for belonging, he is constantly grappling with these fundamental questions.
He has a master's degree in photography from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Dortmund, Germany.
He is a founding member of DOCKS collective