Photographs 1927-1958. This first comprehensive retrospective exhibition about Friedrich Seidenstucker presents more than 200 original photographs. Although Seidenstucker is regarded as a typical Berlin photographer, he is also known far beyond the city boundaries, not least because of one special achievement: his images evidence a sense of humour that is rarely found in photography.
This first comprehensive retrospective exhibition about Friedrich
Seidenstücker presents more than 200 original photographs in the
Berlinische Galerie, Berlin’s State Museum for Modern Art, Photography
and Architecture. Almost every Berliner knows Seidenstücker’s
photographs. Those who are interested in the history of their city
appreciate Seidenstücker’s atmospheric shots of everyday life in Berlin
during the Weimar Republic. He developed a positively legendary
reputation among animal and zoo lovers with his sensitive animal
studies, and his haunting images of Berlin in ruins represent a valuable
source for historians.
Although Seidenstücker is regarded as a typical Berlin photographer, he is also
known far beyond the city boundaries, not least because of one special
achievement: his images evidence a sense of humour that is rarely found in
photography. Friedrich Seidenstücker’s work evolved from this approach to the
world. It is based on optimism, but this does not mean that he ignored the
difficult conditions and hardships, the poverty and misery of his age.
Seidenstücker concentrated on ordinary people and their everyday behaviour,
which he staged sensitively so that characteristic aspects of human nature are
visualised. While his almost zoological interest in the animal kingdom led to a
methodical thoroughness when taking his photographs at the zoo, one can
assume that his street photography came about more by chance, as the urge
took him. It seems that the same can be said of his landscapes and
photographs of nudes.
In addition to a small group of late nude photographs, which are presented as
photographic slides, the exhibition is divided into four more sections: Street
Photography, Animal Photography, Landscape Photography, and Berlin after
1945. All 226 photographs exhibited are vintage prints, with the exception of 21
new prints.
This retrospective represents the continuation of the Berlinische Galerie’s
successful series of exhibitions which, starting out from the museum’s own
collections, scientifically examines the work of great 20th century
photographers, making it accessible to a wide audience. This exhibition was
preceded by shows of work by Heinrich Zille, Erich Salomon, Fritz Kühn and
Herbert Tobias.
An exhibition by the Berlinische Galerie in cooperation with the bpk -
Bildagentur für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte and the Stiftung Stadtmuseum
Berlin. The exhibition and the catalogue have been facilitated by generous
financial support from the Förderverein der Berlinischen Galerie e.V.
The exhibition is allowed by the generous financial support from the Friends of the Berlinische Galerie (Förderverein der Berlinischen Galerie e.V.).
Director of Marketing and Communication: Ulrike Andres
Phone: 030 / 78902 829
andres@berlinischegalerie.de
MEDIA RELATIONS ARTEFAKT Kulturkonzepte
Ursula Rüter & Stefan Hirtz
Marienburger Straße 16, 10405 Berlin
Phone: 030 / 440 10 686
Fax: 030 / 440 10 684
mail@artefakt-berlin.de
Image: Friedrich Seidenstücker
Ohne Titel (Die Zwillinge Hilde und Helga Fischer), 1948
© bpk - Bildagentur für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte
Berlinische Galerie
Landesmuseum für Moderne Kunst, Fotografie und Architektur
Alte Jakobstraße 124-128, 10969 Berlin
Opening hours: Wednesday-Monday 10 am-6 pm
closed on Tuesday
closed on 24.12. and 31.12.
Admission: Day ticket 8 Euro, Reduced 5 Euro
Every 1st Monday of the month: 4 Euro