New York Brooklyn Bridge in Spring, 2001

The view of the skyline invites countless couples to take souvenir photos. Empfangshalle requested a photo of one partner taken by the other. And with the couple’s own camera. The developed photo was to be sent to Empfangshalle later. Please let us hear from you… The infrastructure that Empfangshalle utilizes lies between intimacy and public space. A pair of lovers place themselves in the public space of a tourist-y souvenir photo. Actually, this would remain a private matter in spite of the public setting, if Empfangshalle had not joined in. Empfangshalle frames one of the partners and co-opts the range of feelings arising here through a mixture of affection (“darling…”), pride and vanity. Almost like a real-live talk show!