BERLIN.- Galerie Buchkunst Berlin is taking viewers on a photographic journey through time and across continents with its new exhibition, "From the Heart of the City." The show brings together a diverse collection of international photographers whose work captures the ever-evolving nature of urban landscapes. From post-war Berlin to bustling Hong Kong and serene Kyoto, the exhibition offers a compelling look at how cities have shaped human experience over the past century.


Witness history through the lens of a master photographer. Click here to explore books by and about Thomas Hoepker on Amazon and discover his iconic images of the 20th century, from Muhammad Ali to everyday life in New York.


The exhibition features works by renowned photographers including Thomas Hoepker, Michael Wolf, Stéphane Duroy, Yasuhiro Ogawa, René Groebli, and Roger Ballen, with photographs spanning from 1952 to 2024.

The exhibition's concept draws inspiration from Walter Benjamin's idea of Paris as the "capital of the 19th century," applying a similar lens to Berlin's turbulent 20th-century history. The city's transformations, marked by war, division, and reunification, serve as a powerful backdrop for exploring broader themes of urban change.

Stéphane Duroy's lyrical color photographs, taken in West Berlin during the Cold War, evoke a sense of a city frozen in time, a "silent war" Atlantis where people seem like shadows of themselves. His images of the fall of the Berlin Wall capture the dawn of a new era for Europe. Duroy, a two-time World Press Photo Award winner, has also documented social life in New York, England, France, and Eastern Europe.

The exhibition also pays tribute to the late Thomas Hoepker, who passed away in July 2024. Two of his iconic black-and-white photographs of Muhammad Ali, taken in Chicago in 1966, are on display. Hoepker, a Magnum photographer, spent much of his career in New York City, documenting its vibrant life in vivid Kodachrome.

Roger Ballen's work, known for its blend of documentary and fiction, is represented by portraits from his "Outland" series and the later work "Nostalgia" (2010). These images showcase Ballen's distinctive style, which delves into the surreal and psychological aspects of human experience. Ballen represented South Africa at the 2022 Venice Biennale.

A touch of romance enters the exhibition with René Groebli's "The Eye of Love" series, created during his honeymoon in Paris in 1952. These almost cinematic images, full of movement and romantic staging, capture the essence of love in the City of Lights. One of the photos from this series, "Sitting Nude Back", was acquired by MoMA in 1954.

Michael Wolf's breathtaking photographs of Hong Kong provide a stark contrast, capturing the density and unique visual aspects of one of the world's most densely populated cities. His "Corner Houses" and "Architecture of Density Scouts" series raise important questions about urban living in the 21st century.

Finally, Japanese photographer Yasuhiro Ogawa's "Lost in Kyoto" series offers a more abstract and spiritual perspective. His photographs of mysterious women in kimonos and vibrant flowers create a magical realism, inviting viewers into a different kind of urban experience. Ogawa will be present at the exhibition opening.

"From the Heart of the City" offers a rich and diverse exploration of urban life through the lens of some of the world's most talented photographers. It is a must-see for anyone interested in photography, history, and the ever-changing face of our cities.


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