An Introduction to Fotografiska’s Latest Museum

Last month, the fourth location of Fotografiska, a celebrated photography museum group famed for its diverse programming and showcasing both emerging talents and iconic figures, opened in Berlin. (Artists such as Andy Warhol and Annie Leibovitz have exhibited at its other sites.)

Originally constructed in 1908 as a luxury department store, the building suffered significant damage during WWII bombings. After the Berlin Wall fell, it transformed into the well-known artist commune and residence, Kunsthaus Tacheles, featuring studios, galleries, bars, and venues for raves and concerts. The artists who took up residence there safeguarded it from being torn down.

The renovation of this historic structure took years; however, the central staircase remains largely untouched, adorned with graffiti from the 1990s along with punk stickers and posters.

Karolina Dmowska, global vice president of business development and partnerships at Fotografiska, stated, “For Berliners, this building stood as a symbol of artistic freedom and a reflection of the city's vibrant alternative culture.”

In its initial weeks, Fotografiska Berlin has unveiled three exhibitions: a group show and two solo presentations featuring Candice Breitz’s video piece Whiteface and Juliana Huxtable’s -Ussyphilia. The group exhibition, Nude, examines portrayals of the naked form in contemporary photography through the perspectives of 30 female-identifying artists. Dmowska shared with Dinogo that this initiative aims to challenge the male-dominated, sexualized views typically portrayed in media, as well as to confront traditional beauty ideals, providing a liberating experience amidst a culture where unrealistic body images can impact self-esteem.

Fotografiska Berlin plans to rotate its exhibitions approximately every four to six weeks, staggering updates hall by hall rather than making all changes simultaneously. Some exhibits will remain local, while others will circulate among Fotografiska locations in New York, Stockholm, Tallinn, and a new site opening in Shanghai later this year.

The upcoming exhibit, Impressions, is a collaboration with Autograph Collection Hotels. This project engaged four photographers who stayed at Autograph Collection Hotels in Berlin, Oklahoma City, Tokyo, and San Pedro. During their stays, these artists—Jonas Bendiksen, Cristina de Middel, Gregory Halpern, and Alessandra Sanguinetti—explored their respective cities and produced a collection that reflects their unique perspectives. Impressions was showcased at Fotografiska, New York in August and will officially debut in Berlin on November 16. Selected Autograph Collection Hotels will also display the works, including Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville in South Carolina, Press Hotel in Portland, Maine, Bankside Hotel in London, and Nanjing, Jiangning in Nanjing, China.

This six-story structure serves as more than just an exhibition venue; it features several bars, a fine-dining restaurant, a café, a stage with a dance floor, and multiple lounge areas.

Fotografiska Berlin’s director, Yousef Hammoudah, expressed the desire for the venue to be an inviting community hub where visitors can enjoy art and unwind with a drink. He mentioned that the expansive 53,000-square-foot space is suitable for conferences, artist discussions, performances, poetry readings, and various events.

Since its opening, the museum has organized a number of artist talks featuring creators such as Candice Breitz, Juliana Huxtable, Evelyna Bencicova, Angelica Dass, and Denisse Ariana Perez. It has also hosted DJ nights and performances by artists like Peaches, who worked in the building nearly two decades ago. To connect her past with the present, she began her performance with a video she had created in the building years earlier.

Visiting Information

Fotografiska Berlin welcomes visitors every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Ticket prices range from €14 to €16 for adults (depending on the day), €8 for seniors aged 65 and older, and for those aged 25 and younger; children 12 and under enjoy free admission.

Accommodation Options

If you're planning a trip to Berlin and wish to explore the new Fotografiska, consider booking a stay at Hotel Luc, located directly across from the French Dom cathedral in the Friedrichstadt area. This Autograph Collection Hotel is where photographer Jonas Bendiksen resided while working on the Impressions project. Guests at the hotel receive complimentary museum entry, priority reservations, discounts on Fotografiska events, and a complimentary drink during happy hour at the museum bar. Additionally, the hotel offers a lending program, providing guests with free access to Lomography 35mm cameras and film rolls for their creative pursuits in Berlin.