BERLIN.- To coincide with the European Month of Photography (EMOP) and to honor the 90th birthday of renowned German photographer Dieter Appelt, Lempertz in Berlin is presenting a curated selection of his black-and-white photographs spanning the last 50 years. The exhibition, which opened today, features notable multi-part series including "Erinnerungsspur" (Trace of Memory), "Tableau Oppedette," and "Salzufersequenz" (Salzufer Sequence).

Dieter Appelt's work is characterized by its intense exploration of the human body, often his own, as a site of existential inquiry. His "Actions" push the boundaries of physical and emotional experience, confronting themes of pain, decay, and mortality. Appelt's photographic investigations serve as a form of processing his traumatic experiences from post-war Germany, resulting in powerful and often somber black-and-white images.

The exhibition showcases Appelt's diverse techniques, ranging from extreme close-ups that emphasize the texture of skin to distant observational perspectives. His works often follow a narrative structure, presented in multi-part sequences, though individual pieces from these series are also displayed. Additionally, the exhibition highlights Appelt's experimental work with double exposure and negative manipulation.

Appelt's artistic journey is marked by a unique blend of performance art and photography. His formal training began in music and singing at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Academy in Leipzig and the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin. Simultaneously, he studied photography at the Hochschule für Bildende Kunst under Heinz Hajek-Halke. After a period as a singer at the Deutsche Oper, Appelt's artistic direction shifted significantly following a trip to Japan in 1970, where he encountered Zen Buddhism. This encounter profoundly influenced his work, leading to extended study trips to Italy and the creation of significant series like "Monte Isola" and "Erinnerungsspur." In 1979, Appelt left his operatic career to focus entirely on his visual art.

From 1982 to 2000, Appelt served as a professor of photography, film, and video at the Hochschule der Künste, where he also became dean in 1996. Today, Dieter Appelt continues to live and work in Berlin.

The exhibition at Lempertz offers a comprehensive look at Appelt's influential career, highlighting his unique approach to photography as a means of exploring profound personal and historical themes.