Unexpected Parallels

They painted from photographic models, with a penchant for hyperrealism, and explored the question of the difference between reality and representation. With Vija Celmins | Gerhard Richter. Double Vision, the Hamburger Kunsthalle takes visitors on an artistic-philosophical journey that explores the representation of everyday objects and complex themes such as war and migration. The juxtaposition of these two renowned painters offers new perspectives on their respective oeuvres, which is particularly beneficial for German audiences in the case of Richter's work. He is often shown in solo exhibitions, so a new context is a refreshing change. The approximately 70 exhibits will be on view from May 12 to August 27.

Gerhard Richter (b. 1932 in Dresden) and Vija Celmins (b. 1938 in Riga), who has lived in the United States since childhood, have a surprising amount in common: Celmins is rarely shown in Europe and is far less well known there than in the United States. In the United States, she is one of the most important exponents of hyperrealist painting, which, unlike many of her colleagues, she reduces to a gray palette. Both artists participated in documenta 14 in Kassel in 2017, and Richter seven other times (1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2007).