TOGETHER
Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler
Photo exhibition
Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler are two of the most outstanding German photographers. During the GDR era, they were among the style-defining photographers of the East, realising their humanistic view of the world in intensive photo projects today as they did then. After reunification, they co-founded the OSTKREUZ photography agency in Berlin. The agency gave rise to the OSTKREUZSCHULE FÜR FOTOGRAFIE, one of the most important training centres for documentary photography, artistic photography and photojournalism in Germany.
With this exhibition, Hof joins the ranks of the most renowned venues that have already hosted Ute and Werner Mahler, such as Deichtorhallen Hamburg in 2014, Gropius Bau Berlin in 2016, Kunsthalle Rostock in 2020, Kunsthalle Erfurt in 2024 and C/O Berlin in 2024.
The exhibition in Hof shows large-format prints from the work groups "Wo die Welt zu Ende war", "Monalisen der Vorstädte", "Die seltsamen Tage" and "Mode FAZ-Magazin".
The strange days
With the project "The Strange Days", Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler embark on an expedition into familiar territory. They search for the surprising in their surroundings, they find the unexpected in everyday
situations. They do not change anything, they do not stage anything. Only by deciding which section of reality they choose do they give the objects their space, in which they begin their own life. In deserted landscapes, they find still lifes that are waiting to be seen and yet do not reveal their mystery.
Monalises of the suburbs
The "Monalises of the Suburbs" was the first joint work by Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler.
In the suburbs of Reykjavik, Liverpool, Minsk, Berlin and Florence, they photographed young women between the ages of childhood and adulthood. The women sit on a chair with a headrest in front of streets and squares in their everyday surroundings to have their portraits taken. They are focussed on themselves and their faces reveal a deep and enigmatic beauty. The backdrop of the
periphery and the seemingly interchangeable backgrounds emphasise the individuality and strength of the women.
Where the world came to an end
"Where the World Ended" takes a look at the former inner-German border 21 years after the fall of the Wall. Back then, 1,378 kilometres of border fences and barbed wire, soldiers with orders to shoot and, for many years, minefields and automatic firing systems formed a border that divided the country and the landscape. Today, it has become a unique biotope for plants and animals that have been able to develop undisturbed in the area. The contrast between the wild, untamed landscape and the few remaining traces of the border fortifications becomes visible. A mixture of nature and man-made horror.
One of the photographs was also taken in the immediate neighbourhood of Hof near Ullitz. At first glance, the exhibition title refers to the collaboration between Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler. But "Together" can also mean that boundaries are the result of human endeavour and are not eternal.
In the countryside. By the river
Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler were among the most important photographers of the GDR fashion magazine "Sibylle" and thus also shaped its international reputation.
The magazine, which was published from 1956 to 1995, was regarded as the "Vogue of the East", not least because of Mahler's photographs. A selection that was created for the FAZ magazine in 2020 is on display in Hof. Fashion is in the foreground, is the occasion and theme. At the same time, however, the choice of motif and arrangement make the images a statement on fashion photography and a commentary on the genre.
Information about the exhibition
Location: Foyers of the Freiheitshalle Hof
Duration: 11 May - 26 October 2025
Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 10:00 to 17:00, and by appointment. Additional opening times can be arranged, especially for groups/schools.
Please note the following changes:
The exhibition will be closed on the following dates due to events: 22 August to 7 September, 11 September, 12 September, 18 September, 8 October and 10 October 2025.
Admission is free.
With the kind support of Sparkasse Hochfranken.
In collaboration with the Central-Kino Hof, a series of films will be shown that focus on photography or photographers.
With this exhibition, the Cultural Office of the City of Hof is continuing the intensive exploration of the medium of photography that began in 2012 with Barbara Klemm. The following films have been shown during this time: Stefan Moses (2013), Matthias Ley (2013), LfU photo group (2013), Helge Kirchberger (2014), Willi and Reinhard Feldrapp (2014), Thomas Hoepker (2014), KH. W. Steckelings | Heidi Innmann (2015), Jacques Sehy (2016), Pressefoto Bayern (2016), Christian Höhn (2019), Isolde Ohlbaum (2019), Subjektive CGI (2019), Moritz Holfelder (2020), Michael Friedel (2022), Bořivoj Hořínek (2023), Michael and Heinrich Jostmeier (2024).
The fact that Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler, a pair of photographers who worked closely together and yet each have their own signature style and career, are now on display is a particular highlight. The two photographic artists were honoured with the German Photographic Society's Culture Prize, the highest award in this field, as recently as 2023.
The exhibition leaflet is available here for download.
Discover the world of photography
Photography meets film at Central-Kino Hof
Immerse yourself in the fascinating photo exhibition by Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler, which is currently on display in the Freiheitshalle. Both look for the surprising in their surroundings and find the unexpected in everyday situations. They do not stage things, but rather impressively capture the given. As part of this exhibition, the Hofer Central cinema is showing films on three Sundays that focus on the subject of photography. "Die Fotografin", "Das Salz der Erde" and "In einem Land, das es nicht mehr gibt" bear impressive witness to the passion for the camera and love of photography.
Special guided tour through the exhibition
As part of "Fotografie meets Film", interested parties have the opportunity to take part in special guided tours through the exhibition "Together" by Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler in the Freiheitshalle. Peter Nürmberger - former head of the cultural department of the city of Hof - will guide visitors through the exhibition on all three Sundays from 17:00. Advance booking is not necessary. We look forward to your visit!
Die Fotografin (2023, directed by Ellen Kuras)
Sunday, 21.09.2025, 19:00
As a former model, Lee is tired of being the photo subject of her male colleagues and concentrates on her own work as a photographer - even on the front line. There she joins forces with her colleague David E. Scherman (Andy Samberg). The two document the liberation of Paris and sneak into Hitler's abandoned flat, where they take the most famous and important picture: Miller herself in the Führer's bathtub.
They are the first photographers to bear witness to the plight of women and girls in the concentration camps in horrifying images that Lee will never forget for the rest of her life.
The Salt of the Earth (2014, directed by Wim Wenders, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado)
Sunday, 28 September 2025, 19:00
In the past 40 years, Brazilian photographer Sebastiano Salgado has documented the traces of our changing world on every continent. His impressive photo reportages have shaped the way we look at our world. In order to process what he has seen, Salgado began a new, gigantic photo project: "Genesis". For almost a decade now, Salgado has dedicated his camera to the paradisiacal, undiscovered places on earth, returning to the origin of all life and revealing the beauty of our planet to us.
In a land that no longer exists (2022, directed by Aelrun Goette)
Sunday, 05 October 2025, 19:00
In the summer of 1989, Suzie (Marlene Burow) flies out of school shortly before her A-levels. Instead of studying, she now has to prove herself as a worker in socialist production. A chance photo unexpectedly opens the door to the glamorous world of fashion at VHB Exquisit and the fashion magazine Sibylle. Suzie immerses herself in the glittering subculture of the East Berlin underground, falls in love with the rebellious photographer Coyote (David Schütter) and experiences the freedom she has always dreamed of. But everything has its price: what is it worth to Suzie to live her dream?
Tickets for the films are available for €7.00 each at the Central cinema.
The flyer is available for download here .
Review of the exhibition opening
on Friday, 9 May 2025
Welcome: Lord Mayor Eva Döhla
Introduction: Head of the Cultural Department Peter Nürmberger
Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler were present at the opening.
