STUDIO

In the glistening light of the vast Andean mountains lies the village of Contay, three hours away from the nearest bigger city. The myth here says that who dreams of snakes, will argue with their husband the next day. Dreaming of music, brings good news instead. This is the home of Elisa Taboada and her family. She is campaigning in the regional elections as a community speaker, aiming to bring more attention to women’s rights.

The gaze in "attractions" is focused on the animals. Any human activity seems strange. It forces its way into the otherwise equable way of life at Gori Park, ultimately calling into question the way humans constantly take it for granted that they are above nature.

A couple refuses to accept that summer is over. For a last time, they head to the coast with the intention of spending two afternoons together between sand dunes and sea water. The temperatures have long been too cold for sandals and shorts; the blustery autumn wind is no substitute for cosy rays of summer sun. On the way to the beach, they cross paths with a woman they know loosely. Upon arrival, they look in vain for a dune to take shelter from the wind; a small dam is built and defended hard against the tide, an attempt to erect a windbreak is made. These desperate struggles against the encroaching elements are merely a brief interlude before the situation unravels into a disaster of an entirely different magnitude. A contemporary cosmic catastrophe.

Like ghosts, the temporarily shut down cruise ships lie in the port of Hamburg. A young man comes into town and is stranded on the riverbank, waiting for a message. He watches couples strolling along in the sunset and gets himself some sweets. In a moment of collective pause, ISLANDS IN THE CITY captures a fragile romance. There is a departure in the air, the destination of which no one seems to know.