Liveable encounters: Klaus Mähring's analog portraits in southern Burgenland

Liveable encounters: Klaus Mähring's analog portraits in southern Burgenland

In the Galerie Depentralum Strem, an exciting exhibition by photographer Klaus Mähring will be shown from October 26 to November 16, 2024. Visitors can experience the fascinating portraits every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The official opening will take place on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 5 p.m., and the last opportunity to see the works on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the finissage at 4 p.m.

Mähring describes his work as a profound experience that helped him to rethink his relationship with people and the question of what makes life worth living. The exhibition is the result of an elaborate process in which more than 100 people were photographed in southern Burgenland. Mähring emphasizes that without the warm openness and willingness of the people to share their time and philosophize their time on important topics, this project would not have been possible. Each participant even received a personal thank you with his portrait.

The challenge of analog photography

A particularly interesting aspect of the exhibition is Mähring's decision to work on analog film. This was a challenge because the film used has not been produced for 17 years and is only available in limited quantities. This situation forced him to carefully consider every recording, both in terms of content and technically. His efforts to make the right light made it possible for the motifs to highlight in the pictures. Mähring referred to the works of influential photographers such as Edward S. Curtis and Richard Avedon during the entire creative process.

The creative work process was characterized by slow but lively trips through the region. Mähring searched for people who, in his view, shone "worth living" and spoke politely. He managed to convince almost everyone of over 100 respondents, only four people declined. These personal encounters and the associated discussions about the question of what makes life worth living were central to the photographer. He had the need to involve the participants in the artistic process so that they could see how their stories become part of a larger whole.

The project was not only enabled by the commitment of the participants, but also by the support of the state of Burgenland, which contributed both financial resources and to an open, friendly environment, which was beneficial for the creation of the works. Mähring is excited to see many of the portrayed people again for the exhibition and hopes that this event will help to promote a positive view of people. The vernissage promises to become a special event in which not only photography but also personal stories are developed.

For more information about the exhibition and the background of the project, the interesting article on www.meinbeinbezirk.at can be read.