Veedelszoch
Karneval in Cologne has many faces – literally. In fact, the faces play the most important role. Karneval is not all about costumes and masks, but rather is at its most beautiful when people paint their faces.
Among photographers, from art photography to photo journalism, the “face in the crowd” is the main motif in Karnevalphotography. This is the case with the photo shown here, taken by Chargesheimer. There are five people in the foreground partaking in the celebrations. Most importantly, you can see their faces. The masked revellers are dancing from left to right, perpendicular to the street. This may be pure coincidence and the photo was taken at just the right time, but it has a major impact on the photo’s effectiveness. A barrier has been created against the pull of the road building line. Coupled with the “closeness” of the photo, the viewer is immediately drawn into the festivities. The group’s movement, which appears to go back into the picture on the right, plays a role in this. In addition to the almost geometrically rigid arrangement of the people shown here, in their “forward” and “backward” motions, the image detail selected here is also important for the effectiveness of this photo taken on Karneval Sunday in 1956. The architecture of the buildings lining the streets takes up far more space than the people do. Two thirds of the image from bottom to top are defined by the various grey tones of the architecture. The silhouette of the Saturn skyrise rising through the fog in the distance forms a sort of “backdrop” for the image.
The goings-on, presumably occurring at a section of the Kölner Ringe, looks like they could be in some massive space or at a large city square. The more details that become visible upon inspection, the more the scene comes to life: The dance is underlined with music. You can see the second person from the right holding a “dicke Trumm”, a type of drum. The person cut off on the far right has an accordion. Also on the right, the spectators are standing on the edge of the parade. Karneval floats are visible in the middle background, and a woman dressed in medieval garb is looking toward the viewer. It’s one of the most beautiful Karnevalpictures taken by local Chargesheimer – born Carl-Heinz Hargesheimer, and who died in 1972.
Karneval in Cologne has many faces – literally. In fact, the faces play the most important role. Karneval is not all about costumes and masks, but rather is at its most beautiful when people paint their faces.