BONN.- From the beginning of his career, Chargesheimer (Cologne 1924-1971) pursued different artistic interests. While developing an extensive documentation of Cologne’s ruins in the early post-war years, the artist also worked as set designer and devoted himself to creating metal sculptures, surrealist photomontages and experimental works: pictures created by light and chemicals applied directly onto negatives or photographic paper. In addition to his abstract work, Chargesheimer also explored the potential of realistic, documentary photography as a student at the Werkschulen in Cologne (1942-43) and at the Bavarian State Institute for Photography in Munich (1943-44). His deep knowledge of photographic processes allowed him to break down the basic rules in order to create unique pieces, which are now considered key works of photographic history. From 1950 to 1955, Chargesheimer has also worked as Lecturer at the Bild und Klang Schule (Bikla) in Düsseldorf.

The exhibition Chargesheimer at Feroz Galerie aims to explore the complexity of the artist’s oeuvre and his multifaceted artistic production. Part of the gallery space has been dedicated to presenting a reconstruction of Chargesheimer’s exhibition Köln 5 Uhr 30, created for the 1970 edition of Photokina in Cologne. Another section of the exhibition has been devoted to the artist’s experimental work: abstract photography, chemigrams and light graphics, as well as cameraless works created through direct manipulation of chemicals onto negative plates and photo paper. Chargesheimer’s early experimental works were produced between 1948 and 1953, and after meeting L. Fritz Gruber (artistic director of Photokina), in 1949, Chargesheimer was invited to present these works at the prestigious Cologne-based fair.

Due to the long-standing friendship between Gerd Sander and Chargesheimer, FEROZ Galerie has a significant collection of documentary photographs taken by artist in the 50’s, when he dedicated himself to photographing the daily life in Cologne. Among this body of work are the famous portraits commissioned by celebrities such as Louis Armstrong and Jean-Paul Belmondo as well as a great number of German politicians; all “close-ups” taken with a monumental creative power. The people and the city, along with its architecture and life, were approached by his lens as a unit, and not as of single documents of their time. This very particular point of view will be shown through a fine selection of Chargesheimer documentarian work. Among the highlights of this exhibition is an original kinetic light sculpture constructed from moving Plexiglas and steel elements; a piece made by Chargesheimer in the 60’s and described by the artist as a “Meditationsmühle”. Chargesheimer was very critical of social issues. He was also an artist in the broadest sense of the term and his multimedia practice focused on the two main topics of the 20th Century: the human condition and the life in an urban environment.