Articles

Germaine Krull, a pioneering photographer of the early 20th century, gained prominence in 1928 Paris for her avant-garde photographs featured in the magazine VU. Known for her modernist style, Krull captured city life, industrial structures, and intimate images of female couples, challenging conventional representation of gender and queer desire. Her photo book Métal (1928) highlighted industrial Europe, while her earlier portfolio Les amies depicted tender moments between women, reflecting her own queer experiences. Krull’s work defied norms by portraying queer female sexuality openly during a time of widespread invisibility and anxiety about lesbian identity. Read Article

Germaine Krull was a pioneering modernist photographer whose work was championed by Man Ray but has since been largely overlooked. Born in 1897, Krull traveled extensively and developed a unique photographic style that ranged from nudes to urban landscapes. She was an innovator in photographic books and utilized experimental techniques such as multiple exposures and unusual perspectives. A recent exhibition at Jeu de Paume in Paris showcases over 130 of her prints, including rare early works and images from her travels in Southeast Asia. This exhibition highlights her lasting impact on 20th-century photography. Read Article

Germaine Krull was a revolutionary photographer and political radical whose work was once acknowledged by Man Ray as his equal. Active primarily in the 1920s and 1930s, she pioneered modernist photographic techniques and produced influential photobooks such as Métal, which redefined visual poetry through images of industrial structures. Despite her early success and contributions to fashion, portrait, and documentary photography, Krull's recognition waned compared to her male contemporaries. A recent Paris exhibition, Jeu de Paume: Germaine Krull (1897–1985): a Photographer's Journey, aims to restore her legacy as a groundbreaking artist and radical free spirit who lived a diverse and nomadic life. Read Article

Germaine Krull (1897-1985) was a pioneering figure in modern photography and photojournalism, active mainly between 1920 and 1940. This exhibition at Jeu de Paume highlights her Parisian period (1926-1935), focusing on her innovative reportage style and modernist vision through 130 vintage prints and period documents. Krull’s work is notable for its freedom from aesthetic norms, her contributions to avant-garde publications like VU, and her role as one of the first photographers to publish photo books. She combined artistic creativity with political engagement and extensive travel, producing impactful photo series on urban life, industrial landscapes, and Asian culture. Read Article

This retrospective gallery showcases iconic photographs by Rankin from the 1990s, highlighting his innovative approach that challenged conventional fashion imagery. Featured works include conceptual shoots for Dazed & Confused magazine, such as life-size cutouts set ablaze to comment on fashion culture, and candid portraits of celebrities like Kate Moss and Jude Law. Rankin's early work emphasized creative lighting and in-camera effects before digital retouching became common. His photography also pushed boundaries by including older and plus-size models, and exploring themes of identity and fandom. Read Article

American humanitarian photographer Lisa Kristine is dedicated to raising awareness and helping abolish modern slavery through her powerful images. She captures harrowing yet dignified portraits of people trapped in slavery, revealing their authentic selves amid horrific conditions. Kristine's work is rooted in trust and intimacy, aiming to show the humanity of enslaved individuals. Inspired by the staggering global scale of slavery, she uses her art to shine a light on the plight of millions around the world, including children forced into labor. Read Article

Lisa Kristine is a humanitarian photographer known for her powerful images depicting modern slavery and forced labor. Her journey began with a desire to explore the world, which evolved into a mission to raise awareness about human rights abuses through art. Kristine’s work combines beauty and dignity with the harsh realities faced by victims. She believes photography transcends language and serves as a tool to inspire empathy and action. Through her lens, she highlights the resilience of the human spirit amid darkness, encouraging others to engage in social change. Read Article

Lisa Kristine is a renowned humanitarian photographer who captures indigenous cultures across over 100 countries on six continents. Her work not only creates stunning images but also inspires change by highlighting social issues such as modern slavery. Kristine combines art with activism, using powerful and compassionate photography to awaken empathy and motivate action. Educators can use her work to encourage students to create visual essays or photographs that convey their own social or environmental concerns, fostering understanding and engagement. Read Article

This article explores the early photographic journey of Candida Höfer, who was inspired by her journalist father and began photographing Turkish guest workers in Germany during the 60s and 70s. She felt uneasy about interrupting her subjects but continued her passion. In her thirties, she attended the Art Academy in Düsseldorf for film studies before Bernd and Hilla Becher established the first official photography class, where she was the only female student to focus on interior photography. Höfer is recognized as a key member of the Düsseldorf School and photographs interiors based on her personal feelings rather than external opinions. Read Article

Candida Höfer's photography features empty libraries, theaters, and palaces, capturing architectural interiors devoid of people. Her large-format, symmetrical images have gained renewed popularity in museums, auctions, and on social media, where they serve as aesthetic inspirations for study vibes and architectural appreciation. Höfer’s work, rooted in the Düsseldorf School of photography, commands high prices in the art market due to its meticulous composition and historical significance. Key series include the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Zentralbibliothek Hamburg, and Teatro La Fenice in Venice. Her quiet, controlled images contrast sharply with viral digital trends, embodying themes of power, culture, and memory. Read Article

Internationally renowned photographer Candida Höfer presents an exhibition in New York showcasing large-format photographs of Mexican architecture. Her work focuses on the interiors of public institutions such as convents, hospitals, churches, and theaters, capturing over 600 years of architectural history. These images emphasize the intricate details and symmetrical beauty of the spaces, deliberately excluding human presence to highlight the psychological impact of architecture. Höfer's photographs were taken in 2015 during a cultural exchange between Mexico and Germany, and are currently exhibited at the Sean Kelly Gallery. Read Article

German photographer Candida Höfer's 'In Mexico' exhibition, opening at Sean Kelly Gallery in New York, presents a series of architectural interior photographs taken across Mexico. Shot during a 2016-2017 cultural exchange, the images document over 600 years of architectural history, showcasing Baroque, neo-classical, and contemporary styles in cities such as Mexico City, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Guadalajara. Höfer's photos focus on detailed interior spaces without people, emphasizing design elements and the spirit of each location. The exhibition runs from February 2 to March 16, 2019. Read Article