Contemporary Art Collection

Photographic Notes

Works from the Contemporary Art Collection

17.3.–6.8.23

Photography has been a focal point of the Contemporary Art Collection from the very first. Due to two internationally known, regionally rooted photographic positions, August Sander and Bernd & Hilla Becher, the photography collection is characterised by what is widely perceived as a documentary, factual stance. The works reflect a serial, conceptual, and project-related approach.

<p>Bernd und Hilla Becher, Industrielle Landschaften, Grube San Fernando, Herdorf, Siegerland, 1961, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © 2023 Estate Bernd and Hilla Becher, represented by Max Becher</p> — Bernd und Hilla Becher, Industrielle Landschaften, Grube San Fernando, Herdorf, Siegerland, 1961, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © 2023 Estate Bernd and Hilla Becher, represented by Max Becher

<p>Stephen Willats, Fifteen Feet by Eight Feet and there are Two of us Here, 1980, Courtesy the artist</p> — Stephen Willats, Fifteen Feet by Eight Feet and there are Two of us Here, 1980, Courtesy the artist

<p>Stephen Willats, Fifteen Feet by Eight Feet. And There are Two of us in Here, May-June/September 1980, Contemporary Collection, MGKSiegen, Courtesy the artist</p> — Stephen Willats, Fifteen Feet by Eight Feet. And There are Two of us in Here, May-June/September 1980, Contemporary Collection, MGKSiegen, Courtesy the artist

<p>Bernhard Fuchs, Türkisches Mädchen, Neuss 2001, 1994–2004, MGKSiegen, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023</p> — Bernhard Fuchs, Türkisches Mädchen, Neuss 2001, 1994–2004, MGKSiegen, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023

<p>August Sander, Der erdgebundenen Mensch, 1912, from the series: Menschen des 20. Jahrhunderts, 1912-1934, Abzüge 1961-1963, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur, Köln – August Sander Archiv/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2023</p> — August Sander, Der erdgebundenen Mensch, 1912, from the series: Menschen des 20. Jahrhunderts, 1912-1934, Abzüge 1961-1963, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur, Köln – August Sander Archiv/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2023

<p>August Sander, Der Weise, 1913, from the series: Menschen des 20. Jahrhunderts, 1912-1934, Abzüge 1961-1963, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur, Köln – August Sander Archiv/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2023</p> — August Sander, Der Weise, 1913, from the series: Menschen des 20. Jahrhunderts, 1912-1934, Abzüge 1961-1963, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur, Köln – August Sander Archiv/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2023

<p>Hans Haacke, Fotonotizen, documenta 2 1959, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn</p> — Hans Haacke, Fotonotizen, documenta 2 1959, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn

<p>Candida Höfer, Sächsische Landesbibliothek Dresden VIII, 2002/2003, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023</p> — Candida Höfer, Sächsische Landesbibliothek Dresden VIII, 2002/2003, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023

<p>Simone Nieweg, Wirsing, Steinhagen, 1990, from the series: Landschaft und Gartenstücke, 1990–2001, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023</p> — Simone Nieweg, Wirsing, Steinhagen, 1990, from the series: Landschaft und Gartenstücke, 1990–2001, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023

<p>Peter Piller, Nimmt Schaden, 2007, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023</p> — Peter Piller, Nimmt Schaden, 2007, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023

<p>Thomas Struth, Paradise 19, Bayerischer Wald bei Zwiesel, 1999, from the series: Paradise, 1998-2000, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, permanent loan Viehof Collection, © Thomas Struth</p> — Thomas Struth, Paradise 19, Bayerischer Wald bei Zwiesel, 1999, from the series: Paradise, 1998-2000, MGKSiegen, Contemporary Art Collection, permanent loan Viehof Collection, © Thomas Struth

<p>Andreas Gursky, Schiesser, 1991, 2 pcs., left, Contemporary Art Collection, permanent loan Andreas Gursky, © Andreas Gursky/Courtesy Sprüth Magers/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2022, Photo: Philipp Ottendörfer</p> — Andreas Gursky, Schiesser, 1991, 2 pcs., left, Contemporary Art Collection, permanent loan Andreas Gursky, © Andreas Gursky/Courtesy Sprüth Magers/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2022, Photo: Philipp Ottendörfer

The title “Photographic Notes” references the medium of photography by evoking the act of personal chronicling, the capturing of a (historical) moment, the observation of change or a cultural state. At the same time, it cites the photographer as author, and thus the subjective gaze inherent to every photograph. The exhibition gathers works of art which explore themes from our lifeworld, involving nature, culture, and humankind, and which also reflect on their representation. Taking centre stage are images of different landscapes, special places and architectural structures, but also people engaging with these living spaces. The exhibition inspires a comparison of different approaches and photographic strategies. The selection of works fosters new perspectives on things that are purportedly familiar. It facilitates visual experiences that extend beyond the purely documentary.

With works by Bernd und Hilla Becher, Claus Bury, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Bernhard Fuchs, Andreas Gursky, Hans Haacke, Candida Höfer, Aglaia Konrad, Jochen Lempert, Armin Linke, Simone Nieweg, Peter Piller, Andrea Robbins/ Max Becher, August Sander, Thomas Struth, Wolfgang Tillmans, Stephen Willats

Curated by Lea März