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Culture

COVID-19 lockdown: artists in Germany share their fears

'Miss You' outdoor photo exhibition brings artists in Germany into the public spotlight once again.

  • Godoy sitting with her oboe in the seats of an empty theater.

    Cristina Gomez Godoy, solo oboist

    The Berlin-based musician was supposed to star in a prestigious solo concert tour this season before the pandemic hit. Now, most of her performances are either not happening or are being streamed online. "It's not the same as playing in front of an audience — we're not giving this experience to the public and the public to us," she says, while hoping for changes in the months to come.

  • Eidinger sitting behind a piece of plexiglas in a green suit.

    Lars Eidinger, actor

    "Miss You" features photographs of 52 arts workers, from actors to choreographers, which hang outdoors in Berlin, Hamburg and Baden-Baden March 2-16. Photos were taken by photographers from Berlin's Ostkreuz agency. Actor Lars Edinger, pictured, says he misses the "immanent transcendence of the theater as a hall of mirrors, where the mirror itself looks into the mirror."

  • Raabe stands alone on an empty stage with a microphone.

    Max Raabe, singer & photographer

    Pre-pandemic, Raabe toured the world, crooning songs from the early 20th century to eager audiences. "We miss the closeness in all areas of life. Culture is a part of it," he said. Photographer Maurice Weiss says he too misses "physical closeness to other people," but was pleasantly surprised by how city life has become more intimate. "Neighbors greet and ask each other about their well-being."

  • A portrait of Metz with a blindfold over his eyes.

    Philip Kojo Metz, contemporary artist

    The Berlin-based conceptual artist points out that, historically, it's been the duty of artists to create alternative worlds and ideas which are crucial to a functioning democracy. "Everyone would say: 'this is the reality, it's like that;' and artists would say 'no.' They are the ones who can provide a broad perspective." He is currently working on opening an exhibition in Togo.

  • Reinsperger sits on the empty stage of the Berliner Ensemble theater.

    Stefanie Reinsperger, actress

    The actress and member of the Berliner Ensemble theater says having to go without an audience for so long feels as if there is a "crack in her heart." She longs to hear the "buzz of voices from the auditorium." "We miss you! We need you! We will come again!" reads her ode to the day when the theater can once again open its doors.

  • Juengst leaning against the wall wearing a pair of blue pants.

    Carolin Juengst, choreographer & performer

    "Everyone is so overworked if they have something going on because there are so many regulations and rules that are always changing," says the choreographer, who recently put on a show in Hamburg and created a film to go along with it, despite many challenges. She hopes that people will have enough disposable income to attend performances when theaters and venues open up again.

  • Ratcliffe wearing an Adidas jacket and pulling a piece of gum from her mouth.

    Erika Ratcliffe, comedian

    Before the pandemic, the Berlin-based comedian was touring 3-4 days a week. "At first I was almost happy to have a break, but gradually, I got bored. Now I just want to work, but it's not possible," she told DW. While other comedians are doing Zoom shows and live streaming, she prefers to wait for the real deal: "I hope people will get vaccinated soon and things will open up," she said.


  • Godoy sitting with her oboe in the seats of an empty theater.

    Cristina Gomez Godoy, solo oboist

    The Berlin-based musician was supposed to star in a prestigious solo concert tour this season before the pandemic hit. Now, most of her performances are either not happening or are being streamed online. "It's not the same as playing in front of an audience — we're not giving this experience to the public and the public to us," she says, while hoping for changes in the months to come.

  • Eidinger sitting behind a piece of plexiglas in a green suit.

    Lars Eidinger, actor

    "Miss You" features photographs of 52 arts workers, from actors to choreographers, which hang outdoors in Berlin, Hamburg and Baden-Baden March 2-16. Photos were taken by photographers from Berlin's Ostkreuz agency. Actor Lars Edinger, pictured, says he misses the "immanent transcendence of the theater as a hall of mirrors, where the mirror itself looks into the mirror."

  • Raabe stands alone on an empty stage with a microphone.

    Max Raabe, singer & photographer

    Pre-pandemic, Raabe toured the world, crooning songs from the early 20th century to eager audiences. "We miss the closeness in all areas of life. Culture is a part of it," he said. Photographer Maurice Weiss says he too misses "physical closeness to other people," but was pleasantly surprised by how city life has become more intimate. "Neighbors greet and ask each other about their well-being."

  • A portrait of Metz with a blindfold over his eyes.

    Philip Kojo Metz, contemporary artist

    The Berlin-based conceptual artist points out that, historically, it's been the duty of artists to create alternative worlds and ideas which are crucial to a functioning democracy. "Everyone would say: 'this is the reality, it's like that;' and artists would say 'no.' They are the ones who can provide a broad perspective." He is currently working on opening an exhibition in Togo.

  • Reinsperger sits on the empty stage of the Berliner Ensemble theater.

    Stefanie Reinsperger, actress

    The actress and member of the Berliner Ensemble theater says having to go without an audience for so long feels as if there is a "crack in her heart." She longs to hear the "buzz of voices from the auditorium." "We miss you! We need you! We will come again!" reads her ode to the day when the theater can once again open its doors.

  • Juengst leaning against the wall wearing a pair of blue pants.

    Carolin Juengst, choreographer & performer

    "Everyone is so overworked if they have something going on because there are so many regulations and rules that are always changing," says the choreographer, who recently put on a show in Hamburg and created a film to go along with it, despite many challenges. She hopes that people will have enough disposable income to attend performances when theaters and venues open up again.

  • Ratcliffe wearing an Adidas jacket and pulling a piece of gum from her mouth.

    Erika Ratcliffe, comedian

    Before the pandemic, the Berlin-based comedian was touring 3-4 days a week. "At first I was almost happy to have a break, but gradually, I got bored. Now I just want to work, but it's not possible," she told DW. While other comedians are doing Zoom shows and live streaming, she prefers to wait for the real deal: "I hope people will get vaccinated soon and things will open up," she said.


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