Wim Wenders: Written Once
“Every photo, every ‘once’ in time is also the beginning of a story…
Every photo is the first frame of a movie.” – Wim Wenders
An exhibition of photographs by acclaimed German filmmaker Wim Wenders will be on display at the Howard Greenberg Gallery from January 29 to March 15, 2025. Titled Written Once, the showcase highlights Wenders’ photographic works from the 1970s and 1980s, created during his explorations of the American West for film location scouting and travels tied to his filmmaking career.
A distinctive feature of the exhibition is the inclusion of Wenders’ personal writings accompanying many photographs. These poetic reflections offer unique insight into the filmmaker’s creative process, blending his photographic observations with narratives from his life and career. The title, Written Once, is inspired by two featured series: Written in the West (1983–1987) and Once (1977–1984).
Written in the West
In 1983, Wenders embarked on a road trip through the American West, capturing its striking light and expansive, often desolate landscapes. This journey was part of his preparation for the acclaimed film Paris, Texas (1984). Traveling through Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California, Wenders used his lens to explore the mythology of the frontier while immersing himself in the region’s atmosphere.
These images, later compiled into the Written in the West series, were first exhibited in 1986 at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Although they were linked to his film research, Wenders saw them as deeply personal and independent works.
“I was trying to understand the light and landscapes of the West, to develop an empathy for them. Photographing the terrain became another form of research, unrelated to specific filming locations,” Wenders explained in an interview for his 2015 book Written in the West Revisited.
Once
From the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, Wenders documented his travels and experiences in Hollywood. Each photograph in this series is paired with a brief anecdote beginning with the phrase “Once, I…,” weaving personal stories with imagery. These vignettes often feature interactions with legendary figures in cinema, such as John Lurie, Jim Jarmusch, Dennis Hopper, Isabella Rossellini, Claire Denis, Elia Kazan, and Harry Dean Stanton.
One standout image from 1977, When Martin Scorsese had a flat tire II, recounts an unexpected encounter in the Valley of the Gods, Utah. Wenders stumbled upon Scorsese fixing a flat tire on a rental car—only to discover there was no spare! This fusion of photography and storytelling creates a narrative style reflective of Wenders’ filmic sensibilities.
About the Author
Born in Düsseldorf in 1945, Wim Wenders rose to prominence in the 1970s as a leading figure of the New German Cinema movement. Today, he is celebrated as one of contemporary cinema’s most influential artists, with a career spanning feature films, documentaries, photography exhibitions, and literary works.
Wenders’ films, including Paris, Texas (1984) and Wings of Desire (1987), are recognized as cinematic classics. His documentaries, such as Pina, Buena Vista Social Club, and The Salt of the Earth, have earned critical acclaim worldwide. His most recent films, Anselm and Perfect Days, premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, with the latter earning actor Kōji Yakusho the Best Actor award and receiving a 2024 Oscar nomination for Best International Feature.
In 2012, Wenders and his wife Donata established the Wenders Foundation in Düsseldorf. The foundation preserves his cinematic, photographic, and literary legacy, ensuring accessibility through restoration and educational initiatives. It also fosters young talent in innovative storytelling through the Wim Wenders Scholarship.
Wim Wenders: Written Once
January 29 – March 15, 2025
Howard Greenberg Gallery – New York
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