All Over The Kiez

Shortly after arriving in Hamburg you will invariable discover the dichotomy of the city. Everyone remarks on it. Hamburg is a very rich city (and way too expensive and beautiful). On the one hand you have the über-chic centre and the new Hafen City and directly beside are the anti-über-chic (but chic nonetheless) schanzenviertel and St. Pauli. St. Pauli is most famous for housing the city's red-light district (including the dreadful reeperbahn), and all the industry you'd imagine to find there - including a men-only street (yes, there are big gates blocking off the street, all the women on the street are behind windows).

all over the kiez is a photo exhibit that is not a photo exhibit. The photographer has taken to exploring his neighbourhood (kiez), you can see all the pix on the web-site or by clicking on the geographic co-ordinates on this handy map. Ordinarily I wouldn't get so excited about this kind of photo essay, but I love how completely untypical they picture are. Admittedly I am no Hamburg aficionado, but I could only place on building (the old war bunker, which is very distinct). It reminds of the gritty side of Germany, that you tend to forget even in the grittier parts of Hamburg.