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, who today, as then, realize their humanistic view of the world in intensive photo projects. 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 centers for documentary photography, artistic photography and photojournalism in Germany.
With this exhibition, Hof joins the ranks of the most renowned institutions 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 "Where the world ended", "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
Monalisen der Vorstädte" 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 focused on themselves and a deep and enigmatic beauty is visible in their faces. The backdrop of the periphery, the seemingly interchangeable backgrounds reinforce the individuality and power of the women.
Where the world came to an end
"Where the world came to an end" takes a look at the former inner-German border 21 years after the fall of the Wall. Back then, 1,378 kilometers 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 vicinity 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 activity and are not eternal.
Fashion FAZ Magazine
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 the focus, the occasion and the subject. 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: May 11 - October 26, 2025
Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and by appointment. Additional opening times can be arranged, especially for groups/schools.
Please note the following changes:
The exhibition will be closed on 19 June and 9 July 2025 due to the event. During the Hofer Volksfest (25 July to 1 August), the exhibition will be open from 10 am to 1 pm. Thank you for your understanding.
Admission is free.
With the kind support of Sparkasse Hochfranken.
In cooperation 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 can be seen as a special highlight. The two photo artists were only awarded the German Photographic Society's Culture Prize, the highest prize in this field, in 2023.
The exhibition leaflet is available here for download.
Review of the exhibition opening
on Friday, May 9, 2025
Welcome: Mayor Eva Döhla Introduction: Head of the Cultural Office Peter Nürmberger
Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler were present at the opening.
