Bettina Flitner
Bettina Flitner
November 10, 2016
© Bettina Flitner – Friede Springer
“What will remain of me once I am no longer here?” In her exhibition ‘Das Prinzip Apfelbaum’ (The Apple Tree Principle), the photographer Bettina Flitner portrays eleven personalities, who take a look at this question in a very open manner: they include Wim Wenders, Günther Grass, Egon Bahr, Margot Käßmann, among others.
The exhibition presents large-format photographs, accompanied by personal reflections by those portrayed. The pieces convey a very unique feeling full of nuances. They reveal transience, vulnerability, cleverness, humour, love of life, and offer a new look at well-known personalities.
During their encounters, Flitner was accompanied by a video camera. The resulting short films are part of the exhibition. Anyone willing is drawn into the concept of “thinking beyond oneself” and, inevitably, starts to do so themselves.
“If I knew that the world would end tomorrow, would I still plant an apple tree today?” This quote, that is attributed to Martin Luther, is the inspiration for the exhibition’s title. No wistful looking back, no mourning, no misery. ‘Das Prinzip Apfelbaum’ is an acknowledgement of life – and beyond.
Further information at: Mein Erbe tut Gutes and Bettina Flitner
© Bettina Flitner – Friede Springer
© Bettina Flitner – Günter Grass
© Bettina Flitner – Anne-Sophie Mutter
© Bettina Flitner – Richard von Weizsäcker
Bettina Flitner