What images come to mind when you think of cruising; the anonymous, consensual sexual encounters of mostly gay men in public spaces? The photographer Lukas Städler was fascinated by this scene and at the same time confused by it. He simply had to discover it in a very personal way. His Hain series challenges the conventional notions of cruising by capturing romantic moments with naked men in idyllic natural settings. With his view through the camera, Städler breaks through stereotypes and offers a new perspective.

"Two years ago, I started portraying crusing spots in Berlin. Places where gay men meet for a short time to have anonymous, consensual sex. These places in the city's forests or in public parks, such as Tiergarten or Hasenheide, are often only a few meters away from the paths. My intention was to convey a romantic idea of these situations, which initially confused me. I realized that this work is a kind of self-portrait for me, which allows me to reflect on personal issues related to loving and aging." - Lukas Städler

Städler's ongoing project began with frequent visits to these places. It took him over a year to take his first photo. During this time, he met people from various age groups and social backgrounds. Only after he had gained the trust of his protagonists was he allowed to capture and share these intimate moments. With Hain, Städler offers an insight into the hidden Berlin - a part of the cityscape that is often invisible.

Crusing began at a time when homosexual people could not come out and there were no public places where they could live out their sexuality. Parks and other urban spaces such as Berlin's Tiergarten became places for private encounters. Nowadays, the cruising scene has evolved thanks to dating apps. Nevertheless, these physical places remain a part of the city. Against this backdrop, Städler's photography is a medium for expressing queer identity. The term grove evokes a small, peaceful wood or copse that stands for a special or sacred place.

Arles: capital of photography

Arles becomes the capital of photography every summer. With its internationally recognized festival "Les Rencontres d'Arles", the small town in the south of France, located on the banks of the Rhône near the Camargue, has been welcoming photographers, artists and enthusiasts from all over the world since 1970 to discover, exchange and be inspired by a rich and eclectic program of contemporary photography for a summer. WhiteWall is pleased to support various projects on the fringes of the Rencontres.

Circulation(s): The European festival for young European photography

With an ambitious selection and an exciting programme, Circulation(s), organized by the Fetart collective, has established itself as one of the most important events on the European photography scene. Bringing together exhibitions, workshops, portfolio readings and encounters with artists in a single, trendy location in the heart of Paris, Circulation(s) offers a varied, innovative and high-quality program aimed at all photography enthusiasts and beyond.