Woods, Wind and Light
When I got the opportunity to manage a small cafe in a forest, the Lennebergwald, around 2015 I did not hesitate long. The idea of living in the forest would open the possibility of an experience that, in my opinion, would not be commonplace.
The Lebnnebergwald directly adjoins Mainz and feels more like a vast park. Many hiking trails and small paths traverse the forest like the roots of ivy traversing the bark of its trees. Houses, roads, and other people never seem far away. Due to its proximity to Mainz, a highway runs in the immediate vicinity of the forest, mixing with the sounds of the forest, even merging with them after a while of listening.
Most of my life was spent near the Sonwald which belongs to the largest contiguous forest area in Germany. While I can dive into the Sonwald and leave the traces of civilization behind within minutes this does not apply to the Lennebergwald. Nevertheless, the Lennebergwald is a forest, I said to myself, and went out searching for the forest within the forest.
After living a while in the forest, I went out one night with friends. I decided to hike the three kilometres distance to the next train station across the forest. On the way back I realised that I again had to cross the forest, but this time at night. I was by no means prepared for this circumstance. Suddenly what lay before me was the wild, raw, and unpredictable place I was looking for. Wrapped in darkness and invisible to my eyes.
Places I already knew, which have become dear and beloved suddenly seemed frightening and threatening. The primitive fear of my own imagination became reality. I began to understand that it was not the cruelty nor beauty of nature but our own imagination that makes us fear and love the forest in the same way. Even in our sophisticated society where we tend to believe having control over our environment the forest is a place where myths and tales still take place.
Images from the series are shown below (click to view image at full size / original format).
ABOUT DIMA ERMOLENKO
Dima was was born in 1982 in Krasnojarsk, Soviet Union. In 1990 his family moved to Germany where he has spendt most of his life. Since 2017 though, he has been living in Rennes, France, where he works as a carpenter.
The first time he picked up on analog photography was around 2003. But, had rather an on off relationship with photography. In 2015 though, he picked it up again which was then to become the beginning of the Wind, Wald und Licht Project.
Dima also enjoys and incorporates “traditional” straight photography, and enjoys street photography. Lately, he is learning the wet plate process and and finishing new and old projects.
Website: dimermo.com
Instagram: @d.i.m.a.ermolenko
CREDITS
Unless otherwise stated, all words and images in this article are © Dima Ermelenko
