Documentary Photography Grant 13 of the Wüstenrot Foundation

The Wüstenrot Foundation's Documentary Photography Grants are the most prestigious awards of their kind in Germany. Established in 1994, the grant is aimed at photographers who explore themes from everyday life and continually redefine the representational functions of photography using contemporary methods. For more than two decades, the Museum of Photography Braunschweig has regularly presented exhibitions of the award winners. The four projects supported in this 13th year of the grant offer documentary perspectives on the world of work and the human body.

From diverse perspectives, the artists address thematic areas that are gaining increasing relevance. Their respective working methods are characterized by a multifaceted exploration of their role as visual authors. Alongside photographic reporting, their work incorporates visual reflection and engagement, shared authorship, and the integration of the viewer's experiences into the documentary testimony.

Sabrina Asche (born 1981 ) explores the situation of the many invisible women working in the Bangladeshi textile industry in her work "Photographing Textile Workers." The starting point for her work is the collapse of the Rana Plaza textile factory in the Dhaka district of Bangladesh. The artist weaves the collected material into multi-layered image and text collages using screen prints on fabric and a film.

In her project Liquid Company, photographer Luise Marchand (born 1987 ) explores aspects of work-life balance and work-life blending by working on startup projects, participating in team-building processes at various companies, and working in co-working spaces, studying her own behavior as well as that of her colleagues. She reflects on the dream of self-determination and the balance between work and private life, which are becoming a tangible reality through digitalization in the 21st century.

In his work *Disciplined Production* , Heiko Schäfer (*1983 ) focuses on the socio-economic conditions of the working world. He documents working conditions at industrial production sites in North Rhine-Westphalia and, through discussions with employees, recipients of Hartz IV benefits, and activists, reflects on the current situation of workers in relation to political promises.

Wenzel Stählin 's (*1985 ) project "Constructions. Proposal for Research" focuses on normative ideas and ideologies associated with the white male body. By juxtaposing architectural models with his own body, he investigates the ideologies inherent in architecture and how the male body has served as a benchmark for the architectural design of our living environment from Vitruvius to postmodernism.

A free catalogue has been published to accompany the exhibition.

Opening | Friday, April 28, 2023, the following speakers will give a welcoming address at 7 p.m.:
Axel Grüner, Board Member, Museum of Photography Braunschweig
Dr. René Hartmann, Wüstenrot Foundation
Barbara Hofmann-Johnson, Museum of Photography Braunschweig
Christin Müller, curator for the Wüstenrot Foundation
in the presence of the artists

Exhibition tour | Saturday, March 29.04.2023th, 11, XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.
with Sabrina Asche, Luise Marchand, Heiko Schäfer, Wenzel Stählin and
curator Christin Müller and museum director Barbara Hofmann-Johnson

Work in Progress – Insights into the working world between Baroque painting
and contemporary documentary photography | 07.05.2023, 15 clock
in cooperation with the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum
with Dr. Sarah Babin (HAUM) and Franziska Habelt (Museum of Photography)
Start HAUM, Museumsstr. 1

International Museum Day | March 21.05.2023, 11, 18 a.m. - XNUMX p.m.
including guided tours, children's program and a lecture at 15 pm
30 Years of Contemporary Photography – Documentary Photography Grants in Transition
with curator Christin Müller

Music video workshop Break my Soul | May 26 / June 2, 2023, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
with the artist Luise Marchand
to the song 'Break my Soul' by Beyoncé
Offer for school classes and groups (from approx. 14 years old)
Information and registration: vermittlung@photomuseum.de

Braunschweig Culture Night | March 17.06.2023, 11, 24 a.m. - XNUMX p.m.
including guided tours and a garden party in the museum garden