HOLD ON TO LIFE UNNOTICED
Currently, Leica Masterpieces
from the Collection of Dr. Kühn-Leitz are exhibited at the Kunstverein in Wetzlar. “The
Leica replaced static shots with heavy and bulky plate cameras with dynamic
images, and for the first time allowed spontaneous capture of unrepeatable
moments” said Dr. Knut Kühn-Leitz on Sunday at the Kunstverein.
Foto: Werner Bischof
The great-grandson of Ernst
Leitz introduced a selection of masterpieces of famous Leica photographers from
his personal collection in the gallery. 60 visitors came to attend the opening.
Kühn-Leitz spoke about the
history of the famous camera, which, thanks to Ernst Leitz, Oskar Barnack and
Max Berek, for the first time allowed the unknown small-format photography. It opened up a new markets and production
during a period of high unemployment and opened up new jobs. Thus the visionary
founded a new era of photography. The Leica weighed only 500 grams including
film cassette and allowed to photograph life unnoticed. The camera also
introduced a new flexibility, because 36 shots could be taken in succession.
Dr. Knut Kühn-Leitz
Ernst Leitz laid the
foundation for dynamic, live photography and modern photojournalism, according
to Kühn-Leitz.
For the exhibition he
selected only black and white photographs for their special artistic effect.
"Many images have captured the decisive moment in a humorous way. Some have a high level of awareness and have
become classics," he explained.
A lot of the photos were
taken before the Second World War and in the 50s to the 70s of the last
century. The photographers who were traveling with a Leica and the images shown
at the art club in the Old Town Hall, gained international fame.
For instance, Dr. Paul Wolff,
originally a physician, won his first Leica in 1926 through a raffle at the
"International Photo Exhibition.” He was one of the first protagonists of the
camera and described his experiences in the book "My experience with the
Leica". Erich Salomon was a lawyer.
In 1926, at the age of 40, he started
photography. Salomon was one of the pioneers of "Available Light
Photography" snapshots in low light indoors without flash and tripod. Salomon
acquired a small, lightweight Leica in 1932.
Additional photos in the
exhibition are by Barbara Klemm, Will McBride, Robert Lebeck, Ulrich Mack,
Hanns Hubmann, Hilmar Pabel, Marc Riboud, and Werner Bischof Stefan
Kruckenhauser. The exhibition runs
through October 31 in the Old Town Hall, Hausergasse 17. Opening times are Fridays 4 to 6 pm,
Saturdays 11 am to 3 pm and Sundays 1 to 4 pm.
Admission is free.
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Order: info@gmpphoto.com
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Click on ad to
enlarge
Order: info@gmpphoto.com
Please make payment
via PayPal to GMP Photography
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