The Rhythm of Photography

• Thomas Sandberg, ‘Marqueda, Palermo’, from the series ‘Ostinato’, 2018–2021
  © Thomas Sandberg
• Thomas Sandberg, ‘Mountain, Palermo’, from the series ‘Ostinato’, 2018–2021
  © Thomas Sandberg
• Thomas Sandberg, ‘Squids, Palermo’, from the series ‘Ostinato’, 2018–2021
  © Thomas Sandberg
• Thomas Sandberg, ‘Fishmonger in Catania’, from the series ‘Ostinato’, 2018–2021
  © Thomas Sandberg
• Thomas Sandberg, ‘Ballaro Market, Palermo’, from the series ‘Ostinato’, 2018–2021
  © Thomas Sandberg

The exhibition ‘Ostinato’ with works by Thomas Sandberg continues at the Pankow Gallery in Berlin until January 22, 2023. Through his long-time work for newspapers and magazines, much of Sandberg’s career has centred around reportage and documentary photography. In recent years, however, he has also created a number of independent projects with a focus on fine-art photography.

After ‘Die Judenschule’ (The Jewish School, 2009), ‘Erinnerung an Ahrenshoop’ (Memories of Ahrenshoop, 2012), and ‘Resonances’ (2009), Sandberg has now completed his series Ostinato (2022), whose debut exhibition at the Pankow Gallery accompanies the release of the eponymous book publication.

‘Ostinato’ is a musical term, describing the continuous repetition of a pattern or motif –  be it a rhythm, a melodic phrase, or another compositional element. Ostinati are frequently found in the musical accompaniments of Christian ceremonies and processions, which remain an integral part of religious and cultural life in countries such as Italy.