Tanja Trentman, Berlin 2010

Joo Young Lee, Berlin 2010

I met Jooyoung Lee back in London when I was working at the Fine Arts department at Goldmisths College. Joo Young was an art student and she often came to the photography studio to work there. We always got on well and though we never socialized together we did keep in touch via mail. She then went back to Seoul where she lives now working as an artist.

Yesterday ten years after my first visit to the city I arrived in Berlin for a short holiday. A friend who lives here offered me to stay at her flat while she is away so I decided to take a much deserved break and managed to find a cheap flight.

Barely two hours in the city I went for a walk and to check out a beer garden with a big screen where they are showing the world cup matches. Still had some faith in Spain doing well at the tournament so as there is no TV in the house, I wanted to make sure that there was a local bar where I could watch the match against the Swiss.

I passed by a terrace right in the junction between Rosenthaler Str and Torstrase, in an area which some people say is Mitte but most regard it as Prenzlauer Berg. There I saw Jooyoung.

At first I thought her face was familiar but did not pay much attention. It took me few seconds to realized that I knew her so I turned back and went straight towards her where she was having a drink with some friends. Still doubting I instinctively extended my hand and said hi. She looked at me for a second, not understanding whether I was asking for money or trying to sell something to her. But soon se realized, recognized me and started laughing in amazement.

She is in Berlin on a residency with a grant from Korea working on a personal project. She follows people around recording their experiences of the city. So she offered me to include me in her project and to follow me for a day. The idea is that I will be talking about my impressions about Berlin, places I want to visit, things I want to photograph. Her firends suggested we should go to the old Templehof airport which I always wanted to see. Now it is abandoned and derelict and I think it can be very interesting to photograph. After ten years I am meeting Jooyoung again on Friday. Simply amazing, I know its becoming like a mantra these days but life is indeed full of surprises.

See the links below!

http://www.programonline.de/jooyounglee.html

http://incheonstories.blogspot.com/