Aporia is an exhibition of work produced by nine photographers who, over the last twelve months, participated on the conceptual documentary seminars at Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie.

What does aporia mean? In philosophical terms aporia is a state of puzzlement and in rhetorical terms it is a declaration of doubt, made for a rhetorical purpose and often feigned. Like any creative pursuit, photographic projects begin with the difficulty towards the formulation of a doubtful proposition. Arguably this ‘question’ is designed to initiate the process of making the work whereby the meaning develops though the question is never answered; the question broadens and more complex questions arise. The principle of photography is that it can describe reality, though it is not reality, only the construction of a representative reality. The problem for the photographer is to embrace this paradox in order to express something true, honest, intimate and real. Ultimately, photography is an art of persuasion to seduce the viewer into the authors argument, or question.

These nine photographers have developed very diverse projects, each a testimony to their individual needs and concerns, from the regressive political and religious situation in Poland; the personal desire to ‘let go’; intimate portraits of chance encounters with strangers; the use of nature as an ideological tool for extreme right wing groups; affectionately portraying a mother with dementia; male violence; the problem of connecting with others; a dark psychological depiction of cold European winter; and documenting vulnerable tenants with an uncertain future. Microcosmic stories of varying size, of the unending dramas of life.
— Michael Grieve

With works by:
Felizia Kampa, Henryk Boeck, Martin Francis, Piotr Wojsznis, Ruud Koopmans,Sina Mühlbauer, Sonja Deppisch, Theresa Wißmann, Uta Genilke

Read more about the artists and their series on Instagram & the school’s website:
instagram.com/ostkreuzschule_seminar |instagram.com/grievefoto | ostkreuzschule.de

Thursday, Nov 10, 2022, 7 pm
Opening Reception

Saturday, Nov 12, 2022, 3 pm
Curator’s Tour
with Michael Grieve. Held in English.

Nov 11 — 13, 2022
Opening Reception: Thursday, Nov 10, 7 pm
+ Framework program: please see above

Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie
@ Kunstquartier Bethanien | Projektraum

Mariannenplatz 2, 10997 Berlin
[District: Kreuzberg | Borough: Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg]

Opening hours for this exhibition: Fri – Sun 12 noon – 8 pm

Admission free