C/O Berlin presents the exhibition »Bieke Depoorter . A Chance Encounter« from April 30 to Sep 9 September 7, 2022. The opening will be held on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 20:00 at C/O Berlin in the Amerika Haus, Hardenbergstrasse 22–24, 10623 Berlin.

That night you have showed me the pictures of your project about Michael. I felt I understood something about your sensitivity and I cried because I found it beautiful. First you were looking for Michael, more literally and now you are looking for me in a metaphorical, conceptual way… So much attention you can give to a stranger… This attention is pure.
— Agata

In her solo exhibition »A Chance Encounter«, Bieke Depoorter presents Agata and Michael, two series that begin with coincidental encounters. Personal relationships with the people featured in her photographs, which were developed over the course of several years, significantly influence Depoorter’s artistic practice. Depoorter challenges the medium of photography while blurring the traditional relationship between photographer and subject. The stories of her protagonists reflect topics such as social stigma, breaking taboos, and the inclusion of people who are often overlooked in society.

In Michael, Depoorter examines the life and the disappearance of a man she met on the streets of Portland in 2015. He gave her three suitcases full of personal items, sketchbooks, and essays, providing her with an intimate view of his feelings and thoughts. Working with the precision of a detective, Depoorter tries to track Michael down and understand his life. In addition to documenting his existence, she immerses herself in his life, increasingly imitating his way of thinking and his actions, which to outsiders may seem quite erratic or odd. At what point does a photographic search for traces turn into an obsession? Why do we accept the disappearance of those people who particularly warrant protection?

In her ongoing collaboration with Agata Kay, a young woman she met in a striptease bar in Paris in October 2017, Depoorter explores the complex relationship that has formed between the two women over more than four years. Their close and unfiltered cooperation in this shared project enables the young Magnum photographer to share an intimate look at their friendship. By combining her portraits of Agata with Agata’s written analysis of the pictures, Depoorter creates a fascinating visual narrative about illusions and truth, photographic identity, personal authenticity, artistic authorship, and personal limits.

Agata reflects Depoorter’s interest in understanding people’s life choices. She puts herself into challenging situations to reveal both their shared artistic investigation and their insights. Acting on Agata’s request, Depoorter provides a visual platform for Agata as a sex worker while reflecting on her own concerns about doing so and revealing her personal dedication to supporting Agata in her process of finding herself. The result is a tension-filled experiment on representation and performance involving the audience, the protagonist, and the artist, who are captivated, deeply touched, and also unsettled. This ultimately raises the question of who is actually responsible for deciding what can be shown in an artistic collaboration that has turned into a real friendship.

C/O Berlin presents both of these universal works by the Magnum photographer, consisting of installations, wall pieces, projections and photographs, in »Bieke Depoorter . A Chance Encounter«. This is the first major solo exhibition to feature the artist in Berlin. The second edition of the photo book Agata was published in March 2022. Curated by Felix Hoffmann, C/O Berlin Foundation.

In collaboration with Magnum Photos. Made possible by C/O Berlin Friends e.V. Additional support by the Alexander Tutsek-Stifung.

Bieke Depoorter (b. 1986 in Kortrijk, Belgium) received a master’s degree in photography from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent in 2009. Three years later, at the age of twenty-five, she was nominated to become a member of the photo cooperative Magnum Photos; she became a full member in 2016. Depoorter has received numerous prizes and awards, including the Magnum Expression Award, the Larry Sultan Award, and the Prix Levallois. Her work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions at renowned art institutions around the world including the Kunsthalle Rotterdam in 2009, the Fotomuseum Antwerpen (FOMU) and the Fotomuseum Den Haag in The Hague in 2018, and the Fotomuseum Winterthur in 2019. Over the past years she has published five books: Agata, Ou Menya, I Am About to Call It a Day, As It May Be, and Sète#15.

Friday, April 29, 2022, 8 pm
Opening Reception
C/O Berlin cordially invites you on Friday, 29 Apr 2022 at 20:00 to the opening of the new exhibitions »Susan Meiselas . Mediations« and »Bieke Depoorter . A Chance Encounter«. With two generation-spanning Magnum positions, C/O Berlin opens this year’s celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the internationally renowned photo agency. Happy birthday, Magnum Photos!
Admission free. Attendees must be fully vaccinated, show a proof of recovery or a negative test, which may lead to a short wait.
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Saturday, April 30, 2022, 1 – 2:30 pm
Artist Talk
With the artists Bieke Depoorter & Susan Meiselas. Moderated by Felix Hoffmann, Chief Curator C/O Berlin Foundation. Held in English.
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Sunday, May 1, 2022, 3 – 4 pm
Artist Tour
With Bieke Depoorter (Magnum Photographer), and Felix Hoffmann (Chief Curator C/O Berlin Foundation). Held in English. Tickets: 15/11 € (incl. exhibition). SOLD OUT. Remaining tickets may be available at the box office at C/O Berlin.
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Thursday, May 19 + June 9 + July 7, 2022, 7 – 9 pm
After-Work Tour + Drink
Exhibitions: »Susan Meiselas . Mediations« and »Bieke Depoorter . A Chance Encounter«. Held in German. Ticket: 17 Euro (inkl. exhibition, guided tour & drink)
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Thursday, June 16, 2022, 6 – 7 pm
Curator’s Tour
Curator’s guided tour with Felix Hoffmann through the exhibitions »Susan Meiselas . Mediations« and »Bieke Depoorter . A Chance Encounter«. Held in German. Ticket: 15/11 € incl. exhibition, available online from end of May + remaining tickets at the box office at C/O Berlin.
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Tuesday, June 21, 2022, 6 – 8 pm
Meet the Bees
Get to know the two bee colonies on the terrace of the Amerika Haus up close on a honey-sweet evening. Held in German.
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Friday, July 1, 2022, 11 am – 11 pm
C/O BERLIN OPEN HOUSE – HOSTED BY AIRBNB
C/O Berlin and Airbnb invite to C/O Berlin Open House. The event features free entry and tours of the exhibitions »Susan Meiselas . Mediations« and »Bieke Depoorter . A Chance Encounter«. A Lightning Talk (held in English) by US photographer Susan Meiselas at 6:30 pm is a special highlight.
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Guided Tours
Public Guided Tours: Saturdays & Sundays at 2 pm (held in German).
Individual Guided Tours (held in English and other languages)
 as well as Guided Tours for classes
 can be booked as well.
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Apr 30 — Sep 9 shortened to Sep 7, 2022
Opening Reception: Friday, April 29, 8 pm
+ Framework program: please see above

C/O Berlin Foundation

Amerika Haus, Hardenbergstraße 22-24, 10623 Berlin
[District: Charlottenburg | Borough: Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf]

Summer opening hours: Daily 11 am – 6 pm

Admission: 10 € / reduced 6 € | Online Ticket