We’ve often said that the best way to improve your photographs is by engaging with the works of other artists. This could be looking at varied art forms or learning from the masters of photography. If you are keen on acquiring more knowledge, then we have something special for you. Foto Arsenal Wien, an exhibition dedicated to championing photography, is now open after extensive renovation. As part of Foto Wien, Austria’s largest biennial photography festival, the space is collaborating with Magnum Photos to create an exciting new show. What should you expect? We will tell you in a minute.
The lead image is by Marc Riboud, courtesy of Magnum Photos and Foto Arsenal Wien. All images are used with permission.
What makes this space exciting than this new center has the ability to offer up to ten exhibitions annually in its expansive 1,000-square-meter space. As part of its grand opening, Foto Arsenal Wien will launch two showcases, one is by Magnum Photos, and the other is by photographer Simon Lehner.
OTO ARSENAL WIEN will launch two major exhibitions running from March 21 through June 1, 2025: Magnum: A World of Photography and Clean Thoughts/Clean Images by Simon Lehner.
Magnum: A World of Photography
This exhibition offers an exclusive glimpse into the archives of Magnum Photos archives, which have been built over the years by many saltwards. Magnum: A World of Photography, thus, delves into the processes behind iconic images that have shaped our collective memory and consciousness. Founded in 1947, Magnum Photos has documented some of the most historic moments of our world, from iconic images captured during the Vietnam War to D-Day and the Ohama Beach Landing. It was not just single photographs but also iconic series like Eugene Smith’s Minamata or Susan Meisalas’ Nicaragua series. Through this exhibition, visitors get an opportunity to look at photojournalism and its role in society while understanding how these important images came to be.
The Magnum Photos showcase features over 300 images and objects spanning seven decades, including works by celebrated photographers such as Robert Capa, Elliott Erwitt, Dennis Stock, Inge Morath, René Burri, Eve Arnold, and more. Furthermore, you will also get a chance to look at pictures that were captured decades before your birth: the anti-Vietnam protest outside the Pentagon, Che Guevara’s portrait, and life during World War I.
In addition to the evolution of photojournalism, you will also notice a shift in technology and how photographers went from shooting analog to digital. This means you will see contact sheets, vintage prints, and darkroom work, which showcases an era gone by. If you are someone who has never shot on film or dabbled with it for a bit, then you will have so much to learn about the selection and printing process.
Clean Thoughts/Clean Images by Simon Lehner
This is the first comprehensive solo exhibition by Austrian artist Simon Lehner, which explores psychological aspects of human emotions, identity, and ideals of masculinity. So, how will he achieve this? He uses his personal photographic archive, which showcases his childhood and youth photographs, as the foundation of the idea.
Visitors will see how his images go beyond traditional pictures and have evolved into multi-layered 3D objects, sculptures, films, and paintings. Every pixel of his original photograph finds a new place to breathe through a process involving both digital manipulation and robotic interaction. Visitors will not only interact with the themes in a new way but will also question thinking about aspects such as memory, mental health, and how images shape our world.
For more information about Magnum Photos or Simon Lehner’s exhibits, head to Foto Arsenal Wien’s website. The showcases will open on March 21 until June 1.
