Ulf Aminde’s work is created by repetitively stamping cut potatoes onto a large paper surface, drawing on a symbol deeply embedded in German history. Native to the Americas, the potato became a cornerstone of German agriculture and diet after Frederick the Great famously promoted it in the 18th century to prevent famine, cementing its status as a lasting cultural emblem. From a distance, the piece appears as a hypnotic, abstract, colorful pattern, but up close, the texture and translucence of the stamped impressions resemble fingerprint marks found on official documents. This evokes another symbol of German identity: bureaucracy. Though sound is not explicitly present in this piece, the act of stamping evokes an auditory presence, suggesting the monotonous sound of rubber stamps in public offices and reflecting the tedium of administrative processes. In this context, stamps acquire significance beyond their mechanical function, symbolizing the critical, often painful role of official documentation. For many, particularly immigrants in Germany, a stamp can determine the difference between safety and exclusion. Aminde frequently explores how bureaucratic systems shape and constrain lives through video and collaborative artworks. In this piece, however, he works from the solitude of his studio.