Time Out!

Doing nothing? Impossible! What was once simply seen as ‘free’ time after work, has evolved into a tightly scheduled mass phenomenon. During peak leisure times – after-hours, on the weekends or on public holidays – the world’s beaches, pools, gyms and parks are bursting at the seams. People feast, sizzle and sweat with earnest dedication. Everyone is striving for maximum relaxation, self-optimisation, and the greatest possible distance from everyday life. 

With the exhibition A Day Off, the f3 – Freiraum für Fotografie in Berlin presents a humorous look at leisure culture through the ages. Some of the pictured scenes seem unfathomable today – others show that, over the past hundred years, our idea of a good time has barely changed. Then as now, we like to soak up the sun, go to the movies, dance the night away or enjoy a game of bingo with friends.

The exhibition shines a light on our recreational habits through the lens of some of the world’s most renowned photographers – including Diane Arbus, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Elliott Erwitt, Nan Goldin, F.C. Gundlach, Esther Haase, Thomas Höpker, Barry Key, Barbara Klemm, Lisette Model, and Martin Parr.