Opening: Bruce Gilden – Why These?

Overview

Bruce Gilden’s exhibiton Why These? is coming to Berlin. For the opening, the legendary street photographer is giving an artist talk where he speaks with Creative Director Donald Schneider about the provocative power of his work.

From his signature close-range, flash-lit portraits to the human stories behind them, Gilden reveals how he approaches strangers, navigates tension, and sometimes builds fleeting but profound connections with his subjects.

The talk examines the ethical, emotional, and social dimensions of street photography, offering insight into both the images and the charged encounters that make them unforgettable. Towards the end, you have the opportunity to ask him your own questions.

After the talk, Bruce Gilden is available to sign books and posters.

Your ticket includes access to all our exhibitions on the same day.

Image credit: Amber, Kensington, Philadelphia, USA. 2023 © Bruce Gilden
 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Bruce Gilden is a visual artist who sees things with a poet's eye, carving beauty out of scenes and subjects that others might find intimidating, risky or simply repulsive. Never a detached observer, he actively seeks out the confrontations and characters that fit his vision, faces that reveal more life than they conceal, detailed evidence of grief and joy, hunger and loss. A roadmap of many and various lives, on physiognomies shaped by whatever damage, debauchery and destruction they have lived through.

Gilden has walked and worked on the streets of innumerable cities for the past five decades, as a certified Magnum photographer since 1998. At seventy-seven, more acutely aware of the physical demands of his trade, and the proximity of impending mortality he has refined the lifelong accumulation of photographic knowledge into a tribal elder's wisdom.
 

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Donald Schneider is a Founder & Creative Director. After his studies at "Kunstgewerbeschule" in Zürich and Basel, in the mid 80s he moved to New York. Starting as Art Director for EV Eye Magazine and then Fame Magazine. While also being part of the Art Department at the legendary Area Club. Then, moving back to Europe, Donald became the Creative Director at Tempo Magazine. Then at French Vogue from 1993 to 2002, collaborating closely with many of the best photographers, stylists, artists, fashion designers and new talents. In 2002 he started Donald Schneider Studio in Paris, specialized in creating campaigns for different fashion and luxury clients. For example, for Chloé, during the years of Stella McCartney and later Phoebe Philo, creating many of their most iconic campaigns. 

In 2004 Donald had a groundbreaking new idea for H&M and initiated their legendary first designer collaboration, Karl Lagerfeld for H&M. This started a close ongoing relationship with H&M, between 2010 and 2016 he became the Global Creative Director at H&M in Stockholm, responsible for all creative aspects of the brand worldwide. Since 2016, he has been focusing on Donald Schneider Studio, working closely with his specialized team on collaborations and campaigns.

Schneider has won numerous awards, also "Creative Leader of the Year" at the Lead Awards. He regularly participates in international juries and as a speaker at conferences. Always engaging in creative innovation and with upcoming new talents.
 

Schedule

• 18:30 – Doors Open
• 19:00 – Artist Talk with Q&A
• 20:00 – Book Signing
• 20:30 – End
   

Tickets

• 15 € – Talk (Incl. Museum Entry)
• 0 € - Members