Michael Schmidt: Fotografien 1965-2014

The catalogue for the retrospective of the Berlin photographer Michael Schmidt (1945-2014) presents the artistic development of his work in chronological order. The groups of works are shown on the basis of a selection of representative works.

Numerous illustrations of working materials such as test prints and book drafts as well as archival materials such as invitation cards, posters and exhibition views provide information about Michael Schmidt's working methods in the realisation of his book and exhibition projects.

The catalogue essays by Ute Eskildsen, Janos Frecot, Peter Galassi, Heinz Liesbrock and Thomas Weski are texts by curators who worked closely with the artist on various projects during his lifetime.

This book is the first retrospective publication which shows the complete work of Michael Schmidt.

About the Photographer: 

Michael Schmidt was born in 1945 in Berlin, where he died in 2014. His works can be found in national and international collections and have been presented in numerous solo and group exhibitions. 

In 1976, Michael Schmidt founded the Werkstatt für Fotografie at VHS Berlin-Kreuzberg, which became a major forum for international discussions on photography in (West) Berlin. In 1987 he exhibited Waffenruhe at Berlinische Galerie. In 1988 the Museum of Modern Art, New York presented the work in the exhibition „New Photography 4". In 1996 Ein-heit was shown for the first time at MoMA, New York under its English title U-ni-ty. This was the first solo-exhibition of a German photographer at MoMA since decades. In the same year, Ein-heit was presented for the first time in Germany at Sprengel Museum Hanover. In 1995, a first survey exhibition of his work was on view at Museum Folkwang Essen. In 2010 Michael Schmidt presented his comprehensive survey exhibition “Grey as Colour. Photographs since 2009” at Haus der Kunst, Munich. Lebensmittel (Food) was presented in solo exhibitions at Museum Morsbroich, Leverkusen (2012), Galerie im Taxispalais, Innsbruck (2013) and at Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin (2013). 

Michael Schmidt participated in the 55th Venice Biennial in 2013, and the Berlin Biennial in 2006 and 2010. In 2014 the artist was awarded with the Prix Pictet for his series "Lebensmittel".

Michael Schmidt: Fotografien 1965-2014

Catalogue edited by "Stiftung für Fotografie und Medienkunst" with Archiv Michael Schmidt

Essays from Ute Eskildsen, Janos Frecot, Peter Galassi, Heinz Liesbrock & Thomas Weski

24 x 29,6 cm. 400 pages with 521 illustrations

German Edition