Wild at heart

Elbchaussee 159a
June 9 to August 9, 2022

The F.C. Gundlach Foundation invites you to Elbchaussee 159a. Mr. von Bechtolsheim, with the generous support of Nennecke & Widenmann finest homes, has provided a villa to exhibit works by F.C. Gundlach and photographs from his collection. The result is a show in impressive rooms with breathtaking views of the Elbe River. On the lower level, F.C. Gundlach's large-format works are displayed against the historic wood-paneled walls. The upper rooms feature works by young and contemporary photographers.

F.C. Gundlach is represented here as one of the most renowned German fashion photographers of the 1950s to 1970s with a cross-section of his photographic oeuvre: shots such as those of Grace Coddington in front of the colorful backdrop of a Roy Lichtenstein lookalike are alongside a reportage-style scene in a harbor pub, a photo series with Argentine Gauchos, taken for the company Falke Fashion and many others.

The grouping of photographs from the F.C. Gundlach collection is based on three themes. The artist portrait, a popular genre in photography, is explored. In Edgar Leciejewski's series "Twelve," the clothing symbolizes the artistic working methods of the portrayed subjects. The canvas is then stretched with the same clothing.

Under the heading "The Boundless Fashion Image," an aspect is highlighted that F.C. Gundlach has always considered in his collection: Clothing is of interest not as an exclusive subject, but as a means of pointing beyond fashion in every conceivable direction. For example, the young woman in The Bartered Bride #5 is strikingly dressed up: high heels, glamour, and glitter. However, the subject of Pepa Hristova's photograph is not the outfit itself, but its purpose: to achieve a better price at a Bulgarian bridal market in 2014/15.

"Bodies in Transition" sets a new focus for the Gundlach Collection: With great empathy, the photographic works shown here address the topic of intersex transitions. In his documentary portrait series trans*, Walter Schels accompanies young people on their journey of gender reassignment.

Why did F.C. Gundlach gather all these photographers, and why did these photographers gather around F.C. Gundlach? The explanation lies in his curiosity about life and his broad perspective on the art form of photography. This is encapsulated in the exhibition's title, Wild at Heart , borrowed from David Lynch's cult film and road movie of the same name. The female protagonist, Lula, succinctly summarizes: "This whole world's wild at heart and weird on top."

Opening hours:
Every Saturday from 2 pm to 6 pm and by appointment

Important NOTE:
Parking is available on Elbchaussee. There is no parking or turning area directly in front of the house!