MONOCHROM.
Like few other brands, Leica stands for the fine art of photography. And it is exactly this art that the manufacturer of high-quality cameras and lenses celebrates in the Leica Galleries around the world.
On September 16, 2017, the Leica Galerie NRW opened as the fifth location in Germany. But not in the chic city of Düsseldorf or the cool Cologne. Instead, in Münsterland, more precisely: in Oelde. Because illustrious names mean nothing. In a gallery that bears this name, only one thing counts: quality—the quality of the photography on display on the one hand, and on the other, the quality of the presentation. Both are the responsibility of one man at the Leica Galerie NRW, a man who took an idea and developed it first into a vision and then into reality: Lars Beusker, established fashion and advertising photographer, artist, and more recently, gallery owner.
In everyday life, Beusker usually puts his photographic skills at the service of well-known brands such as SØR, Barbour, or L`Oreal. A thoroughly professional approach, technical perfection, and meticulous attention to detail are the focus here. And, as the industry demands today, an effective digital workflow. But time and again, Beusker is drawn back to the analog roots of photography. Because when you shoot on film, every single exposure counts. You only see the result later, when the developing bath slowly draws the image out of the paper. Analog photography is always a challenge for the photographer and, at the same time, his best training.
Matters of the Heart
Lars Beusker is clearly familiar with challenges, and it certainly cannot be said that he shies away from them. After the initial idea for his future gallery, he not only formulated its concept but also immediately set about planning the architecture of the exhibition space. Through meticulous attention to detail, models of the building were created, repeatedly changed and refined until the sixth model finally matched his vision. Both the model and the vision convinced many supporters, so soon the first groundbreaking took place, and the Leica Galerie NRW opened just a little over a year later.
The Leica Galerie NRW is a very personal project for Beusker, truly a matter of the heart. So it's only fitting that the opening was celebrated with a vernissage of his own works. Under the title "What remains? Monochrome.", a selection of his most impressive portrait works was exhibited. Some of the very large prints featured quite famous faces, such as Nadja Auermann or Peter Lindbergh.
Real People
But very often, it's also people who are not in the spotlight of the world public, but simply live their own lives. Whether it's a fashion-conscious hipster in the big city or an honest farmer in Morocco, Lars Beusker has found and portrayed them all over the world. His camera makes no distinction between celebrity and nobody. The person is at the center, with their unique expression, their emotions, and the many, many stories a face can tell when photographed well.
The second exhibition at the Leica Galerie NRW is also dedicated to people and their faces, capturing them in impressive black and white. Under the title "Personal Best For Leica," selected works by Elliott Erwitt are on view until early April. Erwitt is one of the most famous photographers in the world, connected by a decades-long friendship with his Leica camera.
A Place for Photography
With a discreetly integrated sound system, the auditorium made a modest contribution to the overall effect. But above all, the Leica Galerie NRW is a visually striking exhibition space; conceived, designed, and built to showcase photography in the best possible way. And so, Münsterland, thanks to the imagination and initiative of Lars Beusker, has gained another attraction that is sure to draw art enthusiasts from all over Germany. Sorry, Düsseldorf.
Leica Galerie NRW
Mies van der Rohe Weg 1
59302 Oelde
Opening hours: Tue – Fri 2–6 pm, Sat 10 am–2 pm
Phone: + 49 2529 945 98 39
Email: info@leica-galerie.nrw
www.leica-galerie.nrw
