In conversation with strangers

Lucy Gengler

Keywords: Letters, Community, Intimacy

Internship: Zweifel
hello@lucygengler.com, @lucy.gengler

There is more to a handwritten letter than just text; it comes with scribbles, crossed-out words, and sometimes coffee stains. Human marks that make it unique.

“In conversation with strangers” is a publication exploring the significance of tangible communication. I began leaving envelopes in public spaces, each containing a question that occupied my mind, hoping for a response from someone I had never met. During a period of doubt and uncertainty, strangers shared new insights and perspectives. This practice brought vulnerability and intimacy; people opened up to me, and I could open up too.

Through this experience, I appreciated the uncertainty of unanswered questions. In our instant gratification culture, the significance of waiting is often overlooked. The waiting period becomes a time for reflection, highlighting the value of patience and meaningful exchanges, fostering a sense of community.