Sensitive Documentaries of Everyday Life

From 26 April to 26 August, the Verborgene Museum in Berlin dedicates an exhibition to the work of Magnum photographer Inge Morath (1923–2002). Curated in collaboration with the Fotohof Archiv Salzburg, the selection comprises artists portraits and travel photographs from Europe, Asia and North America. The showcase, titled Aus einem fotografischen Kosmos is complemented by images of Morath’s studio and everyday surroundings in Roxbury (USA), captured by Austrian photographer Kurt Kaindl.

Morath initially worked as an editor for Magnum before picking up the camera herself. In 1954, she was sent on her first reportage assignment to Spain; this was soon followed by a commission in London. She habitually worked with two Leica cameras (one for colour, one for monochrome film), accompanied by a viewfinder and a selection of lenses. At the same time, she consistently documented her experiences in detailed writing.

In 1962, Morath married the American writer Arthur Miller; their travels to countries such as the Soviet Union, China and Cambodia often resulted in joint publications that responded to the fascination of Western audiences with faraway landscapes and unfamiliar faces.

Inge Morath had an extraordinary gift for documenting everyday life: she was a quiet observer who depicted foreign cultures, people and places with “considerate kindness” (Arthur Miller). In addition to Morath’s own works and Kaindl’s images of her personal world, the exhibition also features the documentary film Copyright by Inge Morath, created in 1991 by German film maker Sabine Eckhard in close collaboration with the artist.

Further information at
Das verborgene Museum

Applications for the Inge Morath Award 2018 are still open until 30 April 2018. Please apply here.