THE END OF THE LINE

The end of the line is a personal interpretation of Berlin’s city edges. 
 

In the fast-paced urban landscape of Berlin, often overshadowed by its bustling city center and iconic landmarks, lies a world of subtlety and authenticity waiting to be discovered. This photographic journey through the Berlin outskirts, meticulously documented between 2012 and 2016, captures the soul of the city beyond the tourist-laden streets. Shot entirely on analog film using a Hasselblad camera, this project seeks to unearth the untold stories and the quiet beauty residing in the peripheries of Berlin. It gathers the views of a Portuguese for whom the city center was not enough.

The decision to confine the project to the extremities of Berlin's subway lines was intentional, aiming to spotlight areas often overlooked in the broader cultural discourse. By embarking on this journey, Silva sought not only to visually document the peripheries but also to immerse himself in the unique narratives unfolding at the city's edges.

Analog film, with its nuanced tonality and distinctive look, became an indispensable tool for this project. The limitations of film compelled Silva to carefully consider each shot, transforming the act of image-making into a deliberate and contemplative process. This intentional approach to photography aligns seamlessly with the transient nature of subway travel, where moments flicker by in the blink of an eye.

The subway lines, extending like veins into the outskirts, served as both a metaphorical and physical guide. The termini of each line became the photographic stage, where the ephemerality of the journey collided with the permanence of film. From the eastern expanse of Erkner to the western reaches of Spandau, the project captures the unique character of each terminus, mirroring the diverse personalities that make up Berlin's tapestry. The deliberate choice of analog film and the utilization of subway lines as photographic veins elevate this collection beyond mere documentation. The images encapsulate a sense of timelessness, blurring the boundaries between past and present. In an age where immediacy often defines visual storytelling, this project invites viewers to embrace a slower, more contemplative engagement with the unfolding narratives of Berlin's peripheries.

In retrospect, this project serves as both a visual archive and a testament to the enduring allure of analog photography. Through the lens of the Hasselblad, the images convey the essence of Berlin's edges, capturing moments that might otherwise have slipped into obscurity. This collection invites viewers to step off the beaten path, encouraging them to explore the hidden narratives that lie beyond the city's well-trodden streets, ultimately challenging preconceptions and illuminating the beauty that resides in the margins of urban life.

This series were awarded Bronze in the Professional Portfolio Category in the Tokyo International Foto Awards 2020