Marketplaces have existed for as long as people have been trading. In the case of Ulm, it was this privilege of holding market days that made the citizens rich and prosperous. Thus, in 1377, the citizens of Ulm began construction of a Gothic cathedral designed to accommodate 20,000 people - even though the city’s population at the time was only 9,000.

Thus, the market held twice a week on Münsterplatz (the square in front of the cathedral) serves as a living reminder of this source of wealth.

Most visitors arrive between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. to do their shopping. The market vendors and staff, however, arrive as early as 4:15 a.m. to set everything up.

Much like an iceberg, 85% of whose volume lies underwater—and is therefore invisible—the work of all the helpers takes place long before the first customers arrive. My interest lay in the desire to depict a little of this invisible work.