Berlin will once again be the stage for one of Europe's biggest photography events in 2025: For the European Month of Photography (EMOP), the city will be transformed into a hotspot for art lovers, photographers and creatives from all over the world. With over 100 exhibitions, workshops and artist talks, EMOP 2025 offers a multifaceted programme that invites dialogue under the moto "What stands between us" of current social polarisation. And to take a closer look.
Tip 1: What stands between us - Photography as a Medium for Chronicling
What stands between us. This question lies at the heart of the central festival exhibition of EMOP Berlin, exploring how photographs and texts can evoke deep emotions and intensify divisions during times of crisis. Simultaneously, the exhibition examines how photography, as a medium, can foster understanding through critical reflection and nuanced perspectives. Curator Maren Lübbke-Tidow enriches the works of 20 selected artists with archival materials, offering a comprehensive view of current socio-political developments through a tapestry of multi-layered micro-narratives.
When: 28 February to 4 May, Tuesday to Friday 2 - 7 pm, Saturday & Sunday 11 am - 7 pm
Opening: 27 February 7 pm
Where: Akademie der Künste, Hanseatenweg 10, Charlottenburg
Tip 2: A World in Common - Contemporary African Photography
This exhibition offers a fresh perspective on Africa, where 23 photographers reimagine the continent's place in the world through their unique visions. A World in Common challenges Western-centric views and presents an alternative historical narrative that reflects the diversity and richness of the African continent. Delve into the region's history and traditions while gaining new insights into pressing contemporary issues such as globalization and climate justice.
In addition, the C/O Sam Youkili's "Under the Sun" and Siliva Rosi. Protectorate - C/O Berlin Talent Award 2024.
When: 1 February to 7 May. May, daily 11 am - 8 pm
Opening: 31. January 8 pm
Where: C/O Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 22 - 24, Charlottenburg
Tip 3: Marina Monaco. Neue Welle - We were never here
Marina Monaco offers an intimate glimpse into the love and lives of young people in her exhibition Neue Welle - We Were Never Here. The title nods to the Neue Neue Deutsche Welle generation, a subculture that revives the nostalgia and synth-pop sounds of the 1980s. Stylish, documentary, and tinged with melancholy, the exhibition captures the spirit of a scene that blends past and present with striking authenticity.
When: 4 March to 14 June, Tuesday to Saturday 2 - 7 pm
Opening: 1 March 5.30 - 11 pm
Where: Aperture Film Lab, Schlüterstraße 68, Charlottenburg
Neue Welle - We were never here
Tip 4: Johanna-Maria Fritz: Time of upheaval
For weeks at a time, Johanna-Maria Fritz immerses herself in the lives of the people she photographs, often revisiting the same places to deepen her connection and understanding. Her images capture the stark realities of conflict and war zones, illuminate the struggles of persecuted minorities, and give voice to those living on the margins of society. Beyond documenting these stories, she collaborates with local communities to create meaningful work. In one poignant example, she engaged girls banned from attending school by Islamist forces to weave portraits of Taliban fighters into carpets. A bold and deeply humane exploration of the impacts of power and oppression.
When: 28 February to 25 May
Opening: 27 February, 6 pm
. February, 6 pm
Where: Freundeskreis Willy-Brandt-Haus, Stresemannstraße 28, Kreuzberg
Tip 5: A village is documented over 70 years
The exhibition Farbenrausch brings together the works of three remarkable photographers from the same family: Ludwig Schirmer, one of the GDR's most influential advertising photographers; his daughter, Ute Mahler; and her husband, Werner Mahler. This collection offers a fascinating glimpse into their diverse artistic approaches. Werner Mahler’s atmospheric landscapes, created through experimental techniques, evoke a painterly quality. Ute Mahler’s evocative storytelling blends portraits of compelling personalities with deeply subjective imagery. Meanwhile, Ludwig Schirmer, known primarily for his black-and-white photography, surprises viewers with his understated humor.
Tip: Don’t miss A Village 1950-2022, a collaborative project by the family that documents life in the village of Berka, Thuringia, over seven decades. The results will be on display at the Akademie der Künste, Hanseatenweg 10, from 28 February to 4 May.
When: 4 March to 19 July Tuesday to Friday 12 - 6 pm, Saturday 12 - 3 pm
Opening: 1 March 2 pm
Where: Galerie Springer, Fasanenstraße 13, Charlottenburg
Tip 6: Multimedia & AI with Ayoung Kim at Hamburger Bahnhof
With "Many Worlds Over", South Korean artist Ayoung Kim takes you into her fictional universe. On several large canvases, the characters and visual worlds change before your eyes - spinning a speculative narrative that addresses issues such as migration, xenophobia and queerness and also poses bio- and geopolitical questions. With her multimedia approach, which merges artificial intelligence, virtual reality, video, game simulations, sculptures and sound fictions, Ayoung Kim also focuses on the symbiosis between data, people and our planet in this first solo exhibition.
When: 28 February to 20 July, Tuesday to Friday 10 am - 6 pm (Thursday to 8 pm), Saturday & Sunday 11 am - 6 pm
Opening: 27 February 7 pm
Where: Invalidenstraße 50, Mitte
Tip 7: Dream on - photo exhibitions with Berlin in focus
Many of you may have seen the major exhibition on the Wendezeit at C/O Berlin. If you missed Dream On – Berlin, the 90s (see photo), you’ll be pleased to know that Berlin will once again take center stage during EMOP 2025, with many exhibitions dedicated to the city. Here are our top picks for Berlin enthusiasts during the European Month of Photography.
Projektraum Alte Feuerwache – Zeitreise: Fotografien von Ann-Christine Jansson
Step into a journey through time with Berlin-based Swedish photographer Ann-Christine Jansson. Her portraits capture a vital chapter of German-German history, documenting the fear, anger, courage, despair, joy, skepticism, and hope of those who fought for social change on both sides of the Berlin Wall. By reflecting on these historical moments, Jansson’s work offers inspiration for addressing the crises and conflicts of today.
You can see more Berlin photography here:
- Will McBride - The Berlin Years from 1. March to 1 June at the Bröhan-Museum, Schlossstraße 1 a, Charlottenburg (opening on 28 February at 6 pm)
- Luise Schröder Frauen - Immer laut zu sagen, was ist und ich will from 2. March to 27 March at the Berlin Artistic Research Programme, Uferstraße 13, Wedding
- Seiichi Furuy. Berlin-East/West-Berlin 1985-87 from 1 March to 12 April at Galerie Thomas Fischer, Mulackstraße 14, Mitte (opening on 28 February 6 pm)
- Jason McGlade - Kiezfaces from 1 March to 14 March at Familienzentrum Elly | SOS Kinderdorf Berlin, Waldstraße 23/24, Mitte (opening on 6 March at 4 pm)
- Pixel aus Beton - Die Digitalisierung des Stadtbild from 12 March to 15 June at the Landesarchiv Berlin, Eichborndamm 115 - 121, Reinickendorf (opening on 12 March at 5 pm)
- Duet of Modernism. Visions for Reconstruction in a Divided City from 7 March to 14 September at the Mitte Museum, Pankstraße 47, Mitte (opening on 6 March at 6 pm)
Tip 8: Camera Work shows Steve Schapiro - A Life in Pictures
Many of the faces in these exhibitions will be instantly recognizable: Robert Redford, Romy Schneider, Barbra Streisand, David Bowie, Muhammad Ali—captured by Steve Schapiro, one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Schapiro’s career began in 1961 during the "golden age of photojournalism." He documented over 600 film sets and captured pivotal historical moments, including Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign and the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
More iconic personalities:
Don’t miss Frank Ockenfels 3:Introspection. In this exhibition, the artist reimagines portraits of world-famous actors and musicians by incorporating scissors, ink, and charcoal to transform them into reflections of his own inner world.
Fotogaga. Max Ernst and photography: This exhibition explores Max Ernst’s experimental approach to photography, dating back to the 1920s. The artist used photographs as both inspiration and material for his groundbreaking collages, showcasing an early and innovative use of the medium.
When: 15 February to 29 March, Tuesday to Saturday 11 - 18 pm. March, Tuesday to Saturday 11am - 6pm
Where: Kantstraße 149, Charlottenburg
Tip 9: Jörg Dedering shows Queer Artists
Queer Artists showcases an inspiring portrait series by photographer Jörg Dedering, focusing on queer artists. Building on his previous series, Berlin Artists, Dedering shines a spotlight on individuals who have often faced discrimination and prejudice due to their sexual identity. Through this work, he delivers a powerful message of tolerance and diversity. His sensitive and thoughtful portraits highlight the vital role queer people play in shaping a vibrant and dynamic cultural landscape.
When: 1 March to 29 March
Opening: 28 February, 6 pm
Where: Tunnel 19 EV, Kohlfurter Straße 42, Kreuzberg
Tip 10: F3 Freiraum für Fotografie - Radical Beauty
What is beauty, really? The exhibition Radical Beauty challenges conventional notions of attractiveness and aesthetics in a profound and unconventional way. This globally unique photography project brings together the work of over 60 internationally acclaimed fashion and art photographers, including Brian Griffin, Gottfried Helnwein, Eva Losada, Erwin Olaf, and Elizaveta Porodina. Collaborating with individuals with Down syndrome, these artists have created deeply personal portraits and photo series. Ranging from tender and intimate to stark and exuberant, Radical Beauty celebrates the full spectrum of human experience, highlighting the richness of an inclusive society.
When: 7 March to 25 May
Opening: 6 March, 7 pm
When: 7 March to 25 May
Opening: 6 March, 7 pm March, 7 pm
Where: Waldemarstraße 17, Mitte
Tip 11: Herspective in the Cank - Passing Distance
Keeping your distance offers safety—but how much distance is enough? In human terms, defining the "passing distance"—a concept borrowed from maritime safety—is far more complex. This nuanced in-between space is the focus of an exhibition by the 24 female photographers of the collective Herspective Photographers. Held against the intriguing backdrop of the Cank, a former Neukölln shopping center, the exhibition explores themes of collision and distance, capturing the tension and interplay between proximity and separation through powerful imagery.
When: 2 March to 8 March, Monday to Saturday 2pm - 8pm, Sunday 12pm - 8pm
Opening: 1 March 6pm
Where: Cank, Karl-Marx-Straße 95, Neukölln
