Who Are You? That's You!
What portraits (do not) reveal of the portrayed?
The portrait is a classic field of application of photography, where self-image and public image are negotiated between photographer and picture protagonist. How much can be said about a person’s identity and character via the illustration? What image do the subjects wish to create of themselves? In what light does the photographer show them? The exhibition includes historic portrait photos taken from the realm of clinical psychiatry, alongside artistic images. There are photographs on show that were taken against the will of their subjects, images that play with the format or conjure up stereotypes, and images that critically examine and analyse the portrait. Portraits present a self-image generated by the person being photographed. But they also make us aware of our own predilections, conventions, and prejudices. The question and statement Who Are You? That’s You! is also directed at us as viewers, when we take up a position vis-à-vis to the portraits.
Sammlung Prinzhorn, Heidelberg
Hermann Behle, Peggy Buth, Josef Grebing, Oskar Herzberg, Jürgen Klauke, August Klose, Franz Kockartz, Helmar Lerski, Zanele Muholi, John Smith, Andrzej Steinbach, Marianne Wex
Farewell Photography. Biennale für aktuelle Fotografie [Books]
Who Are You? That’s You! [Texts]