Suddenly everything changed. When the coronavirus reached Germany last February, everyday life was not the same anymore. The exhibition “About last year” shows how well-known photographers have experienced and captured this special time.

On display are the photo series “There is enough fear for everyone” by Holger Biermann, “On potato-roses and burning treetops” by Annemie Martin and Jana Kießer and a video installation by the photographers network “The Journal”.

Berlin-based photographer Holger Biermann is known for his closely observed snapshots. For “There is enough fear for everyone”, he travelled through the deserted streets of Berlin during the first lockdown and described the exceptional historical situation photographically by broadening his view of what is happening on the walls.

The two graduates of the Ostkreuz School of Photography Annemie Martin and Jana Kießer show a photographic dialogue during the corona pandemic with their series “On potato-roses and burning treetops“. With a distance of 800km – Annemie on an island in Lake Constance, Jana in Berlin – they reflected the situation by communicating via associative, poetic images. To do this, they wrote down thoughts, memories and dreams in order to capture this special time.

»The Journal« is a global photography collective by women* from 75 countries who have come together since the pandemic to create a network for exchange, creativity and support. The platform was initiated to create space for support and inspiration, document the pandemic and ensure that the impressive images of female photographers from all over the world equally go down in the history of this time. It’s a space for the female photographers to express themselves, share intimate stories, and provide insights into the lives of women* around the world, while at the same time working for a fairer photography industry.

Framework program

Guided Tours (held in German), free online-ticket required:

• 31.08.2021, 17:00 Uhr (Annemie Martin und Jana Kießer)
• 05.09.2021, 12:00 Uhr (Holger Biermann)
• 12.09.2021, 12:00 Uhr  (Holger Biermann)
• 14.09.2021, 17:00 Uhr (Annemie Martin und Jana Kießer)

Instagram Contest
#aboutlastyearlockdown

Accompanying the exhibition, the Instagram Contest by Freundeskreis Willy-Brandt-Haus & PiB (Photography in Berlin) will give you the opportunity to share your own pictures from this very special time.

Simply add the hashtag #aboutlastyearlockdown to your Instagram photo between Sep 1 — 19, 2021 and take part! How did you experience the time, what has passed, what has remained? We look forward to your memories.

Among all participants we’ll be raffling off a PiB Guide annual subscription (6 issues: PiB Guide Nº38 SEP/OCT 2021 – Nº43 JULY/AUG 2022) incl. worldwide shipping, the photo diary of about last year artists Jana Kießer & Annemie Martin “On potato-roses and burning treetops” as well as 5 photo booklets by street photographer Holger Biermann.

Freundeskreis Willy-Brandt-Haus (FkWBH)

Freundeskreis Willy-Brandt-Haus e.V. was founded in 1996 as a non-profit association. Since the opening of the Willy-Brandt-Haus, FkWBH provides a free program of events at the interface of culture and politics. In addition to the regular exhibitions, also readings, discussions and film evenings are offered to a wide audience.

Aug 19 — Sep 19, 2021

Freundeskreis Willy-Brandt-Haus e.V.

Stresemannstraße 28, 10963 Berlin
[District: Kreuzberg | Borough: Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg]

Opening hours: Tue – Sun 12 – 6 pm

Admission free, time slot tickets must be booked in advance online