2025
Neo-Noir
5 min
Director & Writer: Rabea Janek Peter
Production: Maximilian Wittig
Camera: Sebastian Winterson
Cast: Andrea Wesenberg & Julia Staufer
Festival Selection: The Short Nights of Berlin 2025
A self-centered party person in search of a lost bag must face the consequences of inconsiderate behavior and learn that a togetherness requires giving, not just taking – an eye for an eye.
Unfortunately, the traditional art of riddling is increasingly falling into oblivion. For this reason, the last remaining masters of the riddle guild Zunft zu Kuh erect the guild house from time to place, spin riddles from place to time and raise the forgotten craft of riddling from obscurity.
So that enthusiasm for the craft can be awakened, the guild with all its strangely cozy traditions is always open to any innocent soul. Just as linking is at the heart of riddling, the guild also aims to connect places and people.
The history of the Zunft zu Kuh springs from the mists of the past, where truth and legend intertwine. In the early 15th century, in the verdant valleys of the Alpine foothills, there were numerous associations of farmers who offered their cattle for the transport of goods on the Silk Road. This route, which connected Europe and Asia, was one of the most important trade routes of its time. Among the many associations, one group stood out, which would later become known as Zunft zu Kuh. Among them was the wise farmer named Alarich (later Alarich Ingeniosus). He was known for his wise decisions and his hardy cows, which mastered the arduous journey along the Silk Road. The farmers’ cows not only hauled goods such as silk, spices and other precious commodities, but also letters and messages exchanged by merchants, diplomats and other travellers.
One evening, in the year of the Lord 1407, as the shadows of dusk settled over the land and the stars began to twinkle, Alarich met a mysterious traveler: Johann Gutenberg, a man of great wisdom and vision. They spent the night by the fire and talked about the changes the world was undergoing. Gutenberg talked about the power of words and the revolutionary invention, the art of printing with movable type, which he had begun to master. On that starlit night, Alarich had a groundbreaking idea. Inspired by Gutenberg’s stories, he recognized the need to protect messages in a way that only the initiated could understand. So he began to develop simple symbols and signs that were hidden in the trade notes of his fellow farmers.
Word of Alaric’s ingenuity spread quickly and soon a network of allies was formed along the Silk Road. It was the year 1421 when Alarich and his closest comrades, including Ingwin the Clever, Father Balthazar and Aminat of Samarkand, decided to found the Guild Zunft zu Kuh. From then on, the guild dedicated itself not only to the transport of goods, but also to the art of encrypting and decrypting secret messages.
Witnesses of that period speak of a book, the ‘Codex Taurinum’ (1423), which contained the first encrypted messages. It not only concealed trade agreements, but also strategic information that the guild members transported safely across the Silk Road.
The legendary correspondence ‘Epistola Mercatorum’ (1437) between two Venetian merchants, Niccolò da Conti and Giovanni da Empoli, attests to the importance of the Zunft zu Kuh. These letters revealed that the guild safely conveyed news of impending attacks and political intrigues, often decisive for the success or failure of entire endeavors.
Another important work, the ‘Liber Arcanorum’ (1445), describes the complex ciphers developed by Alarich and his companions. These manuscripts revealed a variety of techniques for hiding messages inconspicuously in trade goods.
In the shadow of major historical events, such as the Councils of Constance (1414-1418) and Basel (1431-1449), the guild flourished. Its members skillfully moved between the political tensions of the time and secretly offered their services to kings and merchants. The Zunft zu Kuh thus grew into a mystical organization and remains the guardian of secrets to this day, a symbol of the power of the hidden and the knowledge that lies within.
The story of the Zunft zu Kuh is a testament to cunning and wisdom, proof that even the humblest of beginnings can lead to great deeds if the mind is keen and the heart courageous.
In the centuries since its foundation and as the importance of the Silk Road faded, the guild gradually fell into oblivion; a fate that was due to its nature as the guardian of secret arts. The deeper the secrets and the more complex the ciphers got, the more exclusive and smaller the circle of initiates grew and their knowledge became more and more hidden. But through the darkness of time, a thin, silvery thread of honorable riddle masters ran, who kept the tradition hidden and passed it on from generation to generation.
Today, the Zunft zu Kuh is looking boldly into the future! We no longer want to hide behind a veil of exclusivity, but instead offer the art of riddles to all inclined souls. For us, riddling means taking on new perspectives and revealing the secrets of the world and of being human through our very own and yet unifying perception. It is a courageous, fearless step into the unknown, an adventure that inspires the spirit and connects minds, places and hearts.
The Zunft zu Kuh opens its doors to new riddlers who want to learn the ancient craft and take part in all the strangely cozy traditions of the guild.
The basic part of the training is, of course, solving one or more riddles. In the process, the riddlers learn how to use riddle tools such as the riddle fork or riddle rod.
Today active at festivals, neighborhood rallies and family funfairs, we create places of encounter and discovery with interactive riddle courses and creative workshops. Our guild houses are places of inspiration and exchange, where old traditions meet new ideas. Come along on the journey!
Rabe zu Immermehr
Rabe zu Immermehr, daughter of the legendary guardian Dirk Janek, was introduced to the secrets of the art of riddling at an early age. Her father, a master of his trade, recognized her extraordinary talent early on and nurtured her skills with great dedication. Today, Rabe serves as a board member of the guild and continues the venerable tradition with tireless passion.
Rabe is known for her extraordinary creativity and virtually inexhaustible knowledge. Her riddles are complex and elegant in equal measure, full of unexpected twists and deep meaning. Under her leadership, the guild flourishes once again, inspiring a new generation of riddlers to boldly and curiously explore the mysteries of this world.
Von und Zu Trichter
Von Und Zu Trichter, a name that inspires awe and admiration in the riddle world, is a true genius of encryption and logic. As a young traveller, he stumbled upon the ancestral secrets of the guild. With his extraordinary ability to see through even the most complex riddles and create new ones, he was quickly accepted into their ranks.
Today, Von Und Zu Trichter is an indispensable member of the guild, known for his astute riddles and brilliant wit. His works are characterised by ingenious logic and humorous ideas, challenging, making you laugh and delighting people of all ages.
The Alchemist
The Alchemist has enriched the world of enigmas with her creative magic. Originally from the tradition of healers, her unquenchable thirst for knowledge brought her to the guild.
Today she is prized for her fascinating riddles of the senses. These are more than just intellectual tests, but artistic, multi-sensory works. With her alchemical wisdom, she supports the riddlers by providing potions and elixirs that give clarity, courage and inspiration. Her unique blend of healing and riddle magic makes her an indispensable figure in the guild, combining ancient knowledge with new, sensual experiences.
You want to be part of it? Then invite us!
There are countless secrets in every place that our riddle masters’ sensitive senses will be happy to unravel for you.
To create the clues, we draw from all directions of the universe and according to all the rules of the art of riddling. They can be singularities in patterns, or the patterns themselves, come as word puzzles, consist of light signals, or be baked goods, work like a scavenger hunt or like Chinese whispers. Or loud. Or a lute.
Let’s experience the magic of riddles together – there is room in the Zunft zu Kuh for every soul who has the courage to step into the unknown with open eyes!
Disclaimer: The solving of the riddle could be your tomorrow.
Email
rabea.peter@gmx.de
2024
Dystopian Chamber Drama
16 min
Director: Rabea Janek Peter
Script: Katja Bec & Rabea Janek Peter
Production: Julian Richter & Kirsten Hasenbein
Camera: Philipp Pietschmann
Music: KAET
Cast: Hanjo Hautow, Elisabeth Jessen, Patrik Paukawald
Festival selection: Boca do Inferno 2024
In a dystopian future, a young man clings to his grandmother’s dreams, while facing the harsh reality of environmental collapse and a Kafkaesque metamorphosis.
2022
Low Fantasy
26 min
Director: Rabea Janek Peter & Frank Hofacker
Production: Jesus Fernandez de Castro, Lukas Winter
Camera: Dorothea Pilz
Edit: Isabella Kohl
Sound Design: Karim Hegazy
Cast: Martin Schnippa, Hannah Zieziula, Andreas Bongard, Kai Bosse, Agnes Mai, Levin Schoberth
Fink, who is new in town, attends a small open air. There he meets a group of wild young people. When the event ends due to the impending dream weather, everyone leaves – except for his new friends, who are bubbling with anticipation and persuading him to stay. Although it’s forbidden. The dream weather begins to materialize the subconscious of the people. What will come to the surface is uncertain.
2018
PornArtFilm
19 min
Director & Cinematography: Rabea Janek Peter
Script: Rabea Janek Peter & Mirko Weil
Music: Felix Gayed
Cast: Lothar Spayer & Candy Flip
Festivals:
MedFF 2018 – Winner of Best Eros Film
Fright Meter Awards 2018 – Semi-Finalist Best Horror Short
Obscura Filmfestival 2018
Pornfilmfestival Berlin 2019
Imagine a room where all your fantasies come true, where whatever you desire can be fullfilled.
2023
Short film
4 min
Director & Cinematography: Rabea Janek Peter
Production: Julie Kurzke
Cast: Hanjo Hautow, Kirsten Hasenbein, Orell Goll
The beliefs we grew up with told us: ‘You are special’ and ‘You can achieve anything if you just try hard enough’. But when does the train arrive? And is there a seat for everyone?
music film
2019
62 min
Art & Direction: Rabea Janek Peter & Frank Hofacker
Music: Soulsplitter
Over the 8 chapters of the progressive rock album ‘Salutogenesis’, the story follows an alien prince who is sent to Earth to stop humans from destroying the environment. When he awakens in his human body, he has lost all his memories and wanders aimlessly through a decaying world. Until he falls in love with a mysterious woman in whom Gaia – nature itself – is concealed. Together they dive into dreams in which their true roles are revealed – and the painful realisation that their love must be fleeting. But their union blossoms into a child who will rekindle the connection between humans and nature. The prince realises that his task is not to save, but to let go.
2023
self portrait
2 min
2014
Drama
18 min
Cast: Hanjo Hautow & Daniela Kuich
Director & Cinematography: Rabea Janek Peter
Music: Martin Schönfeld
– The other day I wrote a story.
– Fine.
– I would read it to you. Do you want to hear it?
– Okay.
– It’s called “Simply no one can deal with intimicy”.
ciphered snapshots
The wonderland is the pure Cipherism. Here, every part is a cipher for itself and, beyond itself, tells the greater story of the whole picture. The pictures show moments from the life of the artist, thought concepts, decisions or remind of things that she has learned and must not forget.
* for sale
Rabea Janek Peter lives and works in Berlin as a freelance artist. After her Bachelor degree in Digital Film Design (2016) she devotes herself to interdisciplinary projects in the areas of visual arts, film, photography and animation.
Sparsely populated Mecklenburg-West Pomerania offered her in childhood days a lot of space for her thoughts and their creative formulation. Conceptuelly the artist has developed her own symbolic language which reveals itself in returning ciphers. Her works are characterizied by the mediation of very expressive emotions which open a large possibility space for own thoughts and stories within the viewer.
The spectrum of the shown stretches on from sensitive to provocative, between dreamy to gloomily. In the choice of technics Rabea Janek Peter shows her diversity of materials and media: „My creating urge has already led me in all possible directions of expression and where I wasn’t yet, I will travel to and learn.“
All the same, whether in the painting, photograph or film; her artistic handwriting always remains unmistakeable.
Rabea Janek Peter about her creating philosophy:
“The world which we perceive is not the reality – because we are subjects: We think. We feel. We remember. This influences and shapes our perception. No one can perceive the reality completely neither the world of another in the same manner. To counter that the human mind bears the art: It can show the world how it is perceived by this person.
Art is not a projection of what we see, but construing and explaining. Art grasps the things in their unmistakeable qualities in the reality of the artist. Therefore, art has a function: It can show a piece of truth, a piece of meaning and evaluation and performes as a bridge to the reality that we cannot fully perceive.”
2025
“An Eye For An Eye we can be together”
short film
2024
“Orange Harvest”
short film
2023
“Rabea means spring.”
Self portrait
2023
“They said we could reach everything”
short film
2022
“neonazur”
short film
2019
“The Moloch”
music video
2018
„Whatever You Desire“
PornArt film
MedFF: Best Eros Film 2018
2014
„snail story“
short film
2013
„Higher“
traditional animation
2012
„Invitation & Refusal“
dance / music video
2012
„Be A Winner!“
short film
2011
„Aneleh & the art“
beginning of the work on the animated solo project
2009
„Linus and the conscience“
dramas implementation
2008
„Collection of Thoughts & Emotions“
art film
2012
“Anthropogenesis”
performance
2009 /2010
„freedom experiments“
chiffristic drama
2009
“Linus and the conscience“
drama
2008
„a christmas tragedy“
playlet
2012
„Fête de la Musique“
contribution to exhibition at Rotiro in Berlin
2011
„Fête de la Musique“
contribution to exhibition at Rotiro in Berlin
2010
„Platz für Rock“
contribution to exhibition in Röbel/Müritz
2009
„Galerie & Lesung“
contribution to exhibition at Engelscher Hof in the synagogue Röbel/Müritz
2006
beginning of the picture series „Emostrations“
beginning of the defining the chiphers & creation of the term „Chiperism“ to describe the own works and method
2012
start of the studies on Digital Film Design & Animation at MdH
2016
„Autopsy & Breeding of horror, cruelty & disturbance in films“
bachelor thesis
2012-20??
traditional animation with ballpoint pen
Ongoing long-term solo project
A short and personal impression of the nature and meening of art. The video is developing by the same dogma, as it’s gonna be raised in the action.
Exerpts from the storyboard
2012
a ciperistic photo montage series
In every character, or relationship between characters opposite tendencies are operating, keeping the fragile equilibrium. A minor impulse can shatter the balance and unleash the forces holding each other, let them intensify:
until the crack appears.
Body & Soul
Freedom & Safety
Pride & Shame
ciphristic picture series
Recognizability of the looks of the person is less important for the ciphered portrait. Instead it shows the emotional body of the portrayed person in the artist’s cipher world.
cipheristic picture series
The Emostrations are a picture series in which emotions are illustrated. Thematized is that every emotion embodies a conglomeration of on and on splitable, more elementary emotions. The pictures operate like a formula or sign language and composition, arrangement and size of the ciphers, as well as the colour symbolism describe the concerning feeling.
* for sale
2012
Kurzfilm
3 min
Cast: Harald Porsch, Frank Kranz
Director & Production Design: Rabea Janek Peter
Camera: Daniel Brennecke
Congratulations Mr. Keller! You were selected among 15,000 competitors and now have the chance to win one of three unique prizes. Visit one of our branch stores and be a winner, because every ticket wins!
socio-critical pictures
* for sale
a cipheristic photo series
2012
A human and their room enter into a symbiosis with each other – how they influence, grace and bind each other; they grow together, coalesce.
pencil drawings
of dolls and vegetables, traditional till morbide
* for sale
2012
2D-Animation
5 min
Director & Animation: Rabea Janek Peter & Ferris Friebe
In a monotonous, black-and-white city, where no one lifts the eye, for the first time one looks up to the sky.
Design for the female protagonist Mathilde
Dancing Film / Music Video
2014
Music: Figure – The Werewolf (Dubstep Mix)
movement studie and a metamorphosis
for various projects
CHARACTER & CREATURE DESIGN
PROPS DESIGN
MOODBOARDS
