Sprouts and Skins (German title: Vorwiegend festkochend)

Exploring everyday phenomena can reveal a vast world of history, science and future plans for humanity, such as living on Mars. It was the potato that sparked my curiosity, leading me on a journey of discovery about human beliefs.

Although originating in South America, the potato is, peculiarly, closely linked to German identity. Inconspicuous, misshapen, and underestimated, Solanum tuberosum interested me for these very qualities. So I set out to research this tuber, and to put it in the frame. 

Over the course of one year, I collected beetles from its leaves, buried rolls of film in its soil, planted my own patch of potatoes, and visited the fastest peeler in the country. I have repeatedly boiled, fried, and eaten potatoes.
My investigation took me to the harvester, laboratory, gene bank, greenhouse, and barn – but also to the georesearch centre and phytopathological collection, a king's grave, and my home village.

I now realise the potato has not only shaped world history, it also has great plans for the future and will – perhaps, perhaps – one day even thrive on Mars.