American Dream – Ein Vortrag über die Natur und die Menschen Nordamerikas

The vastness of North America, a moving family history and the timeless search for freedom.

When I traveled through North America with my self-converted camper, I wanted one thing above all: to experience and photograph the breathtaking wilderness of the continent. From the endless prairies of Canada to the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the icy expanses of Alaska, my camera captured moments that changed my life forever.
Eye to eye with wolves and grizzly bears. Alone under the dancing Northern Lights. The overwhelming size of the 6190-meter-high Denali. I looked for adventure and found it. But then my journey took an unexpected turn. In 2020, when the world stood still, I received news that changed everything. What started as a nature photography expedition suddenly became a journey into my own family's past.

A Swiss history in America

In 1907, Martha Hässler and Hans Steiner left Switzerland and dared to make the dangerous crossing to America. They met on the ship La Savoie, later married in New York and moved to St. Louis to pursue their American dream.
More than 100 years later, my journey took me to their descendants—my distant relatives, who now live scattered throughout the American West. In the high desert of Oregon, in cities and in the countryside, I met the grandchildren of Martha and Hans and discovered a moving story of hope, loss and new life.

Between two dreams

In this multivision show, I take you on a double journey: through the spectacular nature of North America and at the same time through a family history that exemplifies many Swiss emigrants. With breathtaking pictures and videos, I tell of my encounters with wild animals and the descendants of my ancestors.
Experience how two dreams intersect and connect over a century. Let us take you on a journey that raises questions that move us all: What drives people to leave their homeland? What does freedom mean? And what remains of our dreams when they are confronted with reality?