Don't Say Anything Now

Photos: Michael Orth

The magazine supplement of the German newspaper "Süddeutsche Zeitung" has a weekly interview format which is called "Sagen Sie jetzt nichts" ("Don't Say Anything Now"). For the award-winning feature, the newspaper asks questions and the interviewees have to act out their answers by gestures and facial expressions for the camera. Many well-known actors, writers, musicians, athletes, even Kermit the Frog have participated in the wordless interviews. In September 2017, it was Cornelia's turn. At the German Wahnsinn record studio in Hamburg, she let her imagination run wild in front of the camera.

Guess what photographer Axel Martens and his assistant Moritz Marzi asked Cornelia. You will find their questions further below.

Haw-haw, what a funny "answer". But what was the question?

Is Cornelia reaching for the stars or simply doing yoga?

Cornelia framed, and expressing what?

What do you think was this about?

What does Cornelia imagine holding between her hands?

Press relations officer Donate Altenburger turned into a prop to help out with some gestures.

Cornelia enjoyed the offbeat photo shoot. And so did the photographer.

At the end of the shooting we turned the tables and asked the photo team:

"What was it like to do the "Don't Say Anything Now" interview with Cornelia?"

And these are the questions, Cornelia had to answer without words:

1. How are the C.H.I.X?

2. You feel closer to children than to adults. What height would you prefer?

3. What would be your reaction, if a portrait of you would be printed on the covers of your books?

4. What is your wild character trait, no one knows about?

5. What does the world need most right now?

6. What are you afraid of?