With his project Geschleift, Richard Schött focuses on erased sites along the former inner-German border. These places tell stories of loss, displacement, and the helplessness of individuals facing an authoritarian state. Starting in 1952, more than 12,000 people were forcibly relocated by the SED regime, their homes often leveled within hours because they were deemed too close to the border by the Stasi.

After reunification, the border lost its purpose, but scars in both nature and society remain. Geschleift documents 15 of these locations in the tri-border area of Thuringia, Bavaria, and Hesse. These sites represent over 50 in Thuringia and more than 100 across Germany.

Through photography, the project reveals traces that today are often visible only to those who consciously seek them. It contributes to the exploration and awareness of a chapter of GDR history that remains unknown to many.