Annemarie Heinrich: a Berlin Retrospective of the German-Argentine Photographer
Three exibitions honor an icon of photography
September 06th, 2024
This September, Berlin will pay tribute to one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, Annemarie Heinrich (1912–2005), in an unprecedented series of exhibitions. For the first time in her native Germany, Heinrich’s rich legacy will be celebrated with more than 160 photographs displayed across three venues. These exhibitions not only mark the 30th anniversary of the city partnership between Berlin and Buenos Aires but also highlight Heinrich’s unique role in bridging the cultural worlds of Europe and Latin America.
Born in Germany but raised in Argentina, Heinrich rose to prominence as a master of portraiture and ballet photography. Her striking black-and-white images of Argentine actors, dancers, and artists captured the essence of a vibrant cultural era in Buenos Aires. Alongside these, Heinrich also explored themes of abstraction, symbolism, and the role of women in society. Her artistic versatility is evident in her work, ranging from delicate self-portraits to nudes, as well as series depicting working women and life in Buenos Aires.
The three exhibitions highlight the different facets of Heinrich’s work. The Embassy of the Argentine Republic will showcase her journey from Berlin to Buenos Aires, emphasizing the duality of her German-Argentine identity. At the Willy-Brandt-Haus, the focus shifts to the period between 1933 and 1987, a time when Heinrich’s photography both reflected and transcended the complex political and social landscapes of the two countries. Meanwhile, the Ibero-American Institute will explore Heinrich’s connection to Argentina’s literary scene, featuring photographs that intertwine visual art and literature.
In addition to the exhibitions, a special event will be held on September 12th at the Ibero-American Institute, featuring the screening of a documentary by Anne Berrini, which follows the lives of Bauhaus photographers Grete Stern and Horacio Coppola, who were close friends of Heinrich. The film explores their shared avant-garde vision and how it questioned traditional gender roles, an issue Heinrich herself addressed in her work.
