On 31 October 2020 Helmut Newton would have been 100 years old. His foundation was established in Berlin-Charlottenburg in the fall of 2003, and then opened in the summer of 2004; since then it has presented more than 50 exhibitions. Now, the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin is taking this special anniversary as an occasion to celebrate the exceptional photographer – for the first time by presenting his legendary, timeless, and innovative work in a large public outdoor exhibition in Berlin.
Helmut Newton was born in 1920, the son of a Jewish button manufacturer in Berlin-Schöneberg. From 1936 to 1938 he trained as a photographer under the renowned fashion photographer, Yva; his first self-portraits were created in her studio in Schlüterstrasse. But soon thereafter, Newton had to flee Berlin. One of the last buildings he saw as his train left Zoo Station for Trieste was the military casino on Jebensstrasse. 65 years later, this building became home to his foundation and archives, where the work of Helmut and his wife June (a.k.a. Alice Springs), is presented in regularly changing exhibitions. Despite the tragic circumstances under which Newton left Berlin, the city remained close to his heart. He often returned to his hometown to take pictures on behalf of various magazines. For the second issue of German Vogue in 1979, for example, he created a photographic homage to the places of his youth in Berlin.
In memory of Newton’s time in Berlin and his exceptional work, the Helmut Newton Foundation will present a large outdoor exhibition along the 85-meter-long wall at Kraftwerk Berlin on Köpenicker Strasse 70, in the Kreuzberg district. On view from 31 October to 8 November 2020, the exhibition will be publicly accessible 24/7. Some 30 images from all of Newton’s creative periods have been selected for this temporary show, HELMUT NEWTON ONE HUNDRED. Additionally, 250 City Light posters depicting Newton’s work will be on display during this time throughout Berlin, with the generous support of WALL. Never before has Newton’s work been seen in this way.
This exhibition was extended until November 16th.
Installation View by Art Visit
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