Das ist Gesellschaft. Soziale Fotografie in Düsseldorf" im Stadtmuseum

In the organizer's words:

The Stadtmuseum, Berger Allee 2, presents the photo-documentary exhibition "Das ist Gesellschaft. Social photography in Düsseldorf". The focus is on the eponymous question "What is society?".

The opening will take place on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 12 noon and can be visited free of charge. The exhibition runs until January 5, 2025.

Over 200 photographs and documents by more than 80 photographers, including Dirk Alvermann, Candida Höfer, Tata Ronkholz and Thomas Struth, place social photography at the heart of the exhibition. The exhibition presents the Stadtmuseum's collection, supplemented by a number of borrowed exhibits. The exhibition was created in cooperation with the Landesarchiv NRW - Abteilung Rheinland.

In various chapters, topics such as migration, religion, family, work and poverty are highlighted and spotlights are thrown on various aspects of society and its development from the post-war period to the present day. There is no strict local limitation, but Düsseldorf forms the center of the exhibition. Photographs by Dirk Alvermann, Hanne Horn and Horst Schäfer show scenes in Düsseldorf that raise questions about sexuality, stereotypes and critical consumption, among other things.

The aim of the exhibition is to depict the social realities in which we live and to sharpen our own view of society. The show can be understood as a walk-in essay. The concept of the exhibition is based on a critical examination of the photographic documentation. Thematic islands shed light on aspects of so-called "social documentary photography". Some of the basic ideas of the photographic genre are conveyed. Questions such as "What is the intention behind the work?", "What statement is achieved and how?" or "How are viewers influenced in the process?" are posed.

The special exhibition is complemented by an accompanying program consisting of guided tours, talks and lectures. The exhibition was curated by Dr. Christoph Danelzik-Brüggemann (Stadtmuseum), Cennet Maggiarosa (Stadtmuseum) with Rainer Bergner, Dr. Anselm Faust and Zita Götte. Further information on the Internet at www.duesseldorf.de/stadtmuseum.

Excerpt from the accompanying program:

Wednesday, September 25, 6 p.m.
Anti-photojournalism. Photographer Max Brugger talks about committed documentary photography

Tuesday, October 15, 5 p.m.
Guided tour of the exhibition in Ukrainian

Friday, October 18, 6 p.m.
Walter Vogel in conversation with Michael Kortländer on the occasion of the artist's 93rd birthday

Tuesday, October 29, 6 p.m.
The critical approach to documentary photography. A lecture by Dr. Anselm Faust

Thursday, November 14, 6 p.m.
Dr. Johanna Gummlich: Chargesheimer - From negative to print to photo book

Friday, December 6, 6 p.m.
Düsseldorf from above - A brief introduction to the forms and applications of aerial photography from its beginnings to the present day with Dr. Matthias Meusch (lecture)