Vienna
Completed

Eyes Wide Open! Part II: Celebrating Contemporary Leica Photography at OstLicht Gallery

Explore the enduring influence of the Leica camera on generations of street and documentary photographers.

The 'EYES WIDE OPEN! Part II' exhibition at OstLicht Gallery for Photography delves into the profound legacy of the Leica camera. It highlights how contemporary artists, including Nobuyoshi Araki and René Burri, have utilized this revolutionary tool. This display traces Leica's lasting impact on visual culture, from shaping street photography to influencing documentary styles.

About EYES WIDE OPEN! 100 Years of Leica Photography – Part II – The Contemporaries at OstLicht Gallery for Photography in Vienna

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for EYES WIDE OPEN! 100 Years of Leica Photography – Part II – The Contemporaries at OstLicht Gallery for Photography in Vienna

Exhibition summary

This exhibition, 'EYES WIDE OPEN! 100 Years of Leica Photography – Part II – The Contemporaries', showcases the impact of the Leica camera on modern photography. It features works by contemporary artists who have utilized the Leica's capabilities to capture iconic and spontaneous imagery, highlighting its role in shaping visual memory.

Curatorial context

"EYES WIDE OPEN!" delves into the revolutionary history of Leica photography, marking 100 years since the invention of the camera that profoundly altered how the world is viewed and documented. The exhibition, presented jointly by WestLicht. Museum for Photography and OstLicht. Gallery for Photography, is divided into two parts. This specific section, Part II at OstLicht. Gallery for Photography, focuses on the contemporary artists who have continued the Leica tradition. It features works from photographers such as Nobuyoshi Araki, René Burri, Mark Cohen, Alberto Garcia-Alix, Bruce Gilden, and many others, demonstrating the camera's enduring appeal for capturing spontaneous, extreme, and impactful perspectives in an accelerated age. The Leica's compact design, advanced lens, quiet mechanics, and fast shutter speed enabled unprecedented photographic freedom, influencing generations of artists and embedding their images into collective memory. This part of the exhibition displays photographs that exemplify the ongoing impact of Leica on contemporary visual culture. It traces the evolution of street photography and documentary styles, showcasing how artists continue to leverage the camera's unique attributes. The exhibition serves as a testament to Henri Cartier-Bresson's sentiment that 'The Leica is the extension of my eye,' highlighting the profound connection between the photographer and their tool in creating lasting visual narratives.

Admission and ticket notes

The photographs featured in the exhibition are available for sale.

EYES WIDE OPEN! 100 Years of Leica Photography – Part II – The Contemporaries key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for EYES WIDE OPEN! 100 Years of Leica Photography – Part II – The Contemporaries at OstLicht Gallery for Photography in Vienna

Venue
OstLicht Gallery for Photography
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Dec 11, 2015 – Feb 13, 2016
Artist line / attribution
Featuring contemporary works by Nobuyoshi Araki, Bernd Arnold, Julia Baier, René Burri, Mark Cohen, Alberto Garcia-Alix, Bruce Gilden, Jing Huang, Rudi Meisel, Susan Meiselas, Jeff Mermelstein, Paulo Nozolino, Paolo Roversi, Tom Wood, and many more.
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