"Das verrückte Spiel mit den Dimensionen"
The Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin has opened a new exhibition titled "Rooms / Stages," curated by Matthias Harder. The show explores the late photographer Helmut Newton's use of space as a stage for his fashion and theatrical photography, featuring his iconic images of models in hotels, restaurants, and theaters, as well as his work with Pina Bausch's Tanztheater Wuppertal and the Monte Carlo Ballet. The exhibition pairs Newton's photographs with works by twelve contemporary artists, including Paolo Ventura, creating a dialogue across generations that examines empty rooms, pictorial space, and theatrical settings.
This exhibition matters because it reframes Helmut Newton's legacy beyond his well-known focus on female models, highlighting his sophisticated approach to location scouting, staging, and narrative construction in photography. By juxtaposing Newton's work with younger artists, the show demonstrates his enduring influence on contemporary visual culture and invites viewers to reconsider how spaces can function as active participants in photographic storytelling. The interactive elements, such as a wooden stage for visitor selfies, also reflect a broader trend in museums toward immersive, participatory experiences.