*Trace - Formations of Likeness*
Photography and Video from The Walther Collection
©Maximilian Geuter

Written by Wenjie (Demi) Zhao

The Haus der Kunst in Munich has become a temple of resonance, bridging vast temporal and geographical chasms with “Trace - Formations of Likeness,” a sweeping exhibition of photographic and video works from The Walther Collection. Commemorating its first major survey exhibition in Germany, the collection flexes its international and historical might, assembling over 3,000 pieces across 12 thoughtfully curated gallery spaces.

In ‘Trace,’ the past, present, and future converge within the parameters of a camera lens, the mutable witness of humanity’s progression. Captured in daguerreotypes, tintypes, photographic albums, and contemporary acquisitions, each room is a meticulous tribute to the evolution of photography as a tool for self-expression and subjugation. The visual narratives put on display imbue the exhibition with a potent sense of timelessness while inviting critical reflections on the medium's divergent trajectories.

Taking a transdisciplinary, transnational approach, the exhibition fosters a dialogue between artistry and history. It carves out spaces for both emerging artists and trailblazers of the recent past to present their work in a manner that celebrates collaborative processes and challenges traditional historical narratives. The power of (self-)representation and the social constructions of identity form the thematic spine of the exhibition.

Artur Walther’s conception of “Trace—Formations of Likeness” is a daring exploration of how subjectivity and social identity can be molded, manipulated, and perceived. Informed by this bold conceptual approach, the exhibition becomes an arena where identity and representation engage in an open dialogue through photographic portraiture. The dynamism of the figure, whether depicted in commercial photographic ateliers, private home studios, rural or urban environments, permeates the works of ‘Trace.’

At the core of “Trace—Formations of Likeness” resides the meticulous art of portrait photography, tracing the evolving nature of societal transformation across diverse geographic spaces and socio-political landscapes. Weaving together a myriad of artistic practices, ‘Trace’ encapsulates the intertwined histories and unique dialogues of artists from Africa, America, Europe, and Asia. It exposes the inherent structural and conceptual capacities of photography, hinting at its function as a tool to document, categorize, and immortalize ‘likeness’. The bodies showcased in ‘Trace’ provoke introspection about agency, visibility, spirituality, and sexuality. The exhibition utilizes this platform to confront and challenge dynamics of oppression and liberation, crafting a vibrant tableau of differences through audacious acts of reclamation, resistance, and visibility.

Zanele Muholi’s visual activism displays potent depictions of the South African LGBTQ+ community. The series on Occupy Wall Street by Accra Shepp, as well as Zhang Huan’s transformative records of provocative performances, offer a richly diverse exploration of societal issues. Yang Fudong’s multi-channel film installation, “East of Que Village,” provides a profound contemplation of the existential conditions of contemporary Chinese life. In contrast, the works of Ai Weiwei, Eadweard Muybridge, RongRong, and Grace Ndiritu delve into bodily expression and individual identity within the temporal boundaries of photography and the moving image.

Adding to this striking tapestry of expression are a range of vernacular images from anonymous photographers, showcasing photography’s power to both reinforce and subvert prevailing roles of gender, identity, and sexuality. The images exhibit a potent provocation to established patriarchal structures of surveillance and censorship, bringing the tension between public and private performance of identities to light.

Curated by Anna Schneider with Hanns Lennart Wiesner, ‘Trace’ stands as an ambitious testament to the connective and transformative power of photography, illuminating the manifold ways in which the medium can trace, capture, and challenge the formation of likeness.

Jul 21 Trace - Formations of Likeness | Photography and Video from The Walther Collection

Jul 21 Friends and Lovers, Kennedi Carter, Wu Chi-Tsung

Jul 21 Andrew Kung

Related Posts