Herlinde Koelbl at the new Leica Gallery Stuttgart

A great launch: the very first exhibition at the new Leica Gallery in Stuttgart – that shares a building with an equally new Leica Store – is dedicated to one of Germany’s most important photographers. The presentation offers insight into Herlinde Koelbl’s incomparable body of work. In fact, she is so much more than just a photographer: she is an artist, author, and chronicler, or, to use another honorary title, “seismograph” of her times. Koelbl’s photo series are primarily defined by long-term projects, often complemented by in-depth interviews and conversations. Many of her great photographic cycles have made history. Her particular interest has always been focussed on people: their cultural settings; their everyday lives; their physicality; their individuality. With her very precise capacity of observation, Koelbl has repeatedly dealt with social, cultural, political and philosophical subjects, offering touching insight into the many levels of human personalities and sensitivities. The photographer’s curiosity and empathy is evident in every image. The exhibition now opening in Stuttgart includes motifs from her Haare (Hair), Das deutsche Wohnzimmer (The German Sitting Rooms), Schlafzimmer (Bedrooms), Feine Leute (Refined People), Beziehungen (Relationships) and Portraits projects.

The new Leica Store is spread over two floors and is located in Stuttgart’s busy city centre. The store carries Leica’s current product portfolio for both the camera and sport optics ranges, as well as a large selection of specialised literature and Leica accessories. Alternating exhibitions will be held at the Leica Gallery. The opening exhibition, Mein Blick, also honours Koelbl on the occasion of her 80th birthday. (Ulrich Rüter)

The Leica Store and Leica Gallery at Calwer Straße 41, are open Mondays to Fridays from 10:00 to 19:00, and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00.