The exhibition “This Is Me, This Is You” offers the public an initial glimpse into a globally significant collection of photographs that has evolved over four decades. The generous contribution of the Eva Felten Photography Collection expands the inventory of the Museum Brandhorst by 429 works from over 140 artists spanning the 1930s to the present. This donation marks a historic moment for the museum, not only substantially augmenting its collection but also enhancing it with the medium of photography—an integral practice in 20th and 21st-century art. It fills a void at the Museum Brandhorst, which, since its inauguration in 2009, has become one of Germany’s foremost museums for contemporary art.

“This Is Me, This Is You” brings together renowned figures in the history of photography, including Robert Frank, Evelyn Hofer, Gordon Parks, Isaac Julien, Sherrie Levine, Richard Prince, Zoe Leonard, Arthur Jafa, and LaToya Ruby Frazier. Across approximately 140 works, the exhibition explores the intricate dynamics of the gaze in photography, delving into questions of intimacy, desire, power relations, and structural inequalities inherent in the medium. The exhibition takes its name from Roni Horn’s work “This Is Me, This Is You” (1997-2002), a pivotal piece that prompts inquiries into the transience of identity and the presence of photographers within their artworks.
Echoing Zoe Leonard’s impactful statement, “Where you look from is always half the picture,” the exhibition underscores the significance of the historical, social, and physical perspective of both the photographer and the viewer in interpreting art. The encounter with photography extends beyond the subjects depicted, encompassing the photographers themselves. Built on this insight, “This Is Me, This Is You” is dedicated to exploring various pictorial strategies in photography through seven thematic chapters.

These chapters encompass evocative portraits, iconic street photography, socially critical photography, conceptual works, and notable positions in Appropriation Art. Historical and contemporary works by artists from diverse geographical and artistic backgrounds create an international context for contemplating the politics and dynamics of the photographic gaze.
One segment of the exhibition pays homage to August Sander’s renowned series “People of the 20th Century,” conceptualized in 1925. Although Sander’s works are absent, contributions from international artists influenced by his strategy, such as Diane Arbus, Jitka Hanzlová, Rineke Dijkstra, and Issei Suda, are featured. Another section focuses on street photography, showcasing works ranging from Robert Frank to Gordon Parks, Vivian Maier, and Helga Paris. In contrast, deliberate staging as a pictorial strategy is explored by artists like Philip-Lorca diCorcia and Tracey Moffatt. A dedicated space in the exhibition explores the intimacy between photographers and their subjects, evident in works by Diane Arbus, Walter Pfeiffer, and Deana Lawson. The chapter on Appropriation Art juxtaposes historical positions represented by Richard Prince and Sherrie Levine with works by Nobuyoshi Araki and Arthur Jafa, introducing new dimensions to the practice of appropriating images. The largest segment of the exhibition delves into photography as a social and political space, with contributions from LaToya Ruby Frazier, Isaac Julien, Carrie Mae Weems, and Anthony Hernandez highlighting the inherent social and political relevance of the medium.

“This Is Me, This Is You” offers a comprehensive view of the Eva Felten collection, spanning nearly a century of photographic history. The presentation reflects the collection’s international breadth and is dedicated to exploring narrative strategies in photography, from poetic documentary spontaneity to carefully staged compositions. Photographs play an active role in shaping our understanding of the past, present, and future, serving as documents, metaphors, or fiction. They function as performative tools for identity formation, as well as instruments for political and social change, embodying a subversive strategy of visibility and memory.
The exhibition is accompanied by a catalog featuring 380 color illustrations, providing a vivid representation of the extensive Eva Felten Photography Collection and reflecting on it in selected chapters.
Featuring works by:
Nobuyoshi Araki, Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, Victor Burgin, Harry Callahan, Larry Clark, Bruce Davidson, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Rineke Dijkstra, William Eggleston, Robert Frank, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Lee Friedlander, Nan Goldin, Jitka Hanzlová, Dave Heath, Robert Heinecken, Anthony Hernandez, Fred Herzog, Evelyn Hofer, Rudolf Holtappel, Roni Horn, Pieter Hugo, Peter Hujar, Arthur Jafa, Isaac Julien, Barbara Klemm, Suzy Lake, Deana Lawson, Saul Leiter, Zoe Leonard, Sherrie Levine, Leon Levinstein, Helen Levitt, Jerome Liebling, Danny Lyon, Vivian Maier, Lisette Model, Tracey Moffatt, Zanele Muholi, Gabriele and Helmut Nothhelfer, Tod Papageorge, Helga Paris, Gordon Parks, Walter Pfeiffer, Richard Prince, Dirk Reinartz, Arthur B. Rickerby, Thomas Ruff, Sam Samore, Shirana Shahbazi, Jo Spence, A.L. Steiner, Thomas Struth, Issei Suda, Carrie Mae Weems, Christopher Williams, Bruce Wrighton, Shin Yanagisawa.

This is Me, This is You: The Eva Felten Photography Collection
until April 7, 2024
Museum Brandhorst – Munich – Germany

More info:
https://www.museum-brandhorst.de/en

Cover picture:

Roni Horn
“This Is Me, This Is You” (detail), 1997-2000
© Roni Horn. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth
Photo: Sibylle Forster, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Museum Brandhorst, Munich