Candida Höfer
Born in 1944 · Germany
Shared spaces when their users are absent.
The story
Candida Höfer photographs libraries, museums, theatres and other spaces intended for a public. Working within the context of Düsseldorf photography, she developed an attention to light, architectural rhythms and signs of use. The frequent absence of people does not remove the social dimension: furniture, arrangement and decoration reveal how an institution welcomes its visitors.
Understanding the work
Follow the repetition of seats, shelves and openings. The image speaks of the behaviours a place allows, even when nobody is present.
Key works and series
Libraries; theatres; museums; Deutsche Bücherei Leipzig.
Sources & further exploration
Works in collections.
1 recordsPhotographs to explore on museum and library websites, with titles, dates and processes. Each link opens the collection record and its image where one is available.
