Anniversary exhibition presents around 30 portraits – a lecture series illuminates further facets of photography
The Darmstadt Photo Club is celebrating its 75th anniversary with the anniversary exhibition "City Faces." The exhibition focuses on approximately 30 large-format portraits of people who have shaped Darmstadt in various ways. It is complemented by personal texts and a public lecture series in October and November. The idea for the project originated with the club's president, Ute Döring.
Instead of a historical retrospective, the association is celebrating its anniversary by focusing on the people of the city. Many of the exhibited photographs resulted from friendships, joint projects, or long-standing encounters. The portraits are intended not only to depict the individuals, but also to tell a story about the relationship between the people in front of and behind the camera.
The Darmstadt Photo Club maintains an exchange with Płock
Part of the anniversary celebrations is also the connection to the Polish twin city of Płock. At the beginning of 2026, members of the photography club presented the exhibition "My Darmstadt" there to mark the 30th anniversary of the Darmstadt House. Guests from Płock are now expected in Darmstadt for the opening of the "City Faces" exhibition.
Lectures on old films, deepfakes and street photography
The exhibition is accompanied by a public lecture series. On October 15th, Werner Otterbach will give a presentation entitled "The Club in Old Films".
On October 22, lawyer Christian Kramarz will speak about "From Analog Negative to Digital Deepfake." On October 29, photographer Barbara Klemm will follow with a presentation on street photography in everyday journalistic practice and her work for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
The series concludes on November 12th with a presentation by Dr. Philipp Gutbrod, Cultural Affairs Officer of the City of Darmstadt and Site Manager of the Mathildenhöhe World Heritage Site. His topic is "Photography and the Art Market".
Admission to the exhibition and lectures is free.
Exhibition:
September 26 to October 15, 2026, Justus Liebig House, Foyer, Darmstadt, Opening: Saturday, September 26, 2026, 4 p.m.
Lecture Series:
October 15: Werner Otterbach – “The Club in Old Films”
October 22: Christian Kramarz – “From Analog Negative to Digital Deepfake”
October 29: Barbara Klemm – Street Photography in Everyday Journalism and Her Work for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
November 12: Dr. Philipp Gutbrod – “Photography and the Art Market”
Start: 7 p.m. each evening, Kennedy House, Darmstadt
Info: www.fotoclub-darmstadt.de
(Darmstadt – RED/PM/René Antonoff)
