During the era of the German Democratic Republic (1949 – 1990), high-ranking functionaries of the socialist state lived in simple houses in the Wandlitz residential area – a closely guarded district 25 kilometres north of Berlin, inaccessible to outsiders. In 2011, Berlin-based photographer Andreas Mühe (b. 1979) visited these buildings, capturing them surrounded by darkness. In the resulting shots, the dwellings become eerie and surreal, bright white facades imbued with a sense of unease.
Mühe is one of Germany’s best-known artists, recognised for his explorations of sociological, historical and political themes. He stages compositions within elaborately constructed, dramatically lit settings – an approach mirrored by the likes of Rodney Graham and Thomas Demand. Stories of Conflict is Mühe’s latest solo exhibition, taking place at Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main.
Amongst his most famous images are portraits of Angela Merkel: he accompanied the former federal chancellor on many of her travels and undertook an in-depth analysis of her poses. Other notable works include two collections devoted to the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in 1986; one of which honours so-called “liquidators” – the first workers called to help control contamination following the accident.
Elsewhere in the show is the New Romanticism series. In photographs reminiscent of Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840) paintings, Mühe’s subject stands, nude, within striking landscapes. Glowing sun rays bounce off deep purple water, trees tall in the foreground. Across Romantic art of the 1880s, this kind of beautiful and imposing scenery served as a reminder of mortality. Such scenes were dubbed “sublime” – possessing the ability to terrify, overwhelm and inspire in equal measure. Now, Mühe translates this visual language for the 21st century, where conversations around the natural world are increasingly complex.
Kristina Lemke is Head Curator of the Städel’s photography collection. “As in a game of deception, Mühe’s photos always demand a second look,” Lemke explains. “At first sight his works look familiar, but he breaks with expectations and shows how illusory aestheticised pictorial worlds can be.”
Stories of Conflict runs until 19 June. Find out more here.
Image Credits:
1. Andreas Mühe (*1979) Wandlitz J, 2011 From the series: Wandlitz Chromogenic colour print 142,8 × 112,8 cm Andreas Mühe © Andreas Mühe, VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 2021
2. Andreas Mühe (*1979) Soldier at the Obersee, 2012 From the series: Obersalzberg Chromogenic colour print 157,4 × 121,1 cm Andreas Mühe © Andreas Mühe, VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 2021
3. Andreas Mühe (*1979) Wandlitz B, 2011 From the series: Wandlitz Chromogenic colour print 142,8 × 112,8 cm Andreas Mühe © Andreas Mühe, VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 2021
4. Andreas Mühe (*1979) Chalk Cliffs, 2014 From the series: New Romanticism Chromogenic colour print 181,4 × 226,4 cm Andreas Mühe © Andreas Mühe, VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 2021
5. Andreas Mühe (*1979) Wandlitz J, 2011 From the series: Wandlitz Chromogenic colour print 142,8 × 112,8 cm Andreas Mühe © Andreas Mühe, VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 2021
6. Andreas Mühe (*1979) Under the Tree, 2008 Pigment print 167,7 × 135,8 cm Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Eigentum des Städelschen Museums-Vereins e.V. © Andreas Mühe, VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 2021
7. Andreas Mühe (*1979) The Stable, 2021 From the series: Chernobyl II Chromogenic colour print 140 × 110 cm Andreas Mühe © Andreas Mühe, VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 2021
