The Intent of Empty Spaces

Candida Höfer was born in 1944 and is a contemporary photographer currently based in Cologne, Germany. She is known as one of the "Becher School" alongside Andreas Gursky and Thomas Struth.

She studied film at the Düsseldorf Art Academy from 1973 to 1982 before studying under the Bechers. She gained recognition for her works, which photograph the interior spaces of luxurious architecture such as libraries and palaces from a frontal perspective. In 2003, she was selected to represent Germany at the Venice Biennale, and her exhibitions have been held at institutions including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

Candida Höfer has consistently photographed various public spaces, from culturally symbolic grand buildings like train stations, spas, libraries, museums, zoos, and opera houses, to more everyday structures. This exhibition also features imposing, large-scale works, some spanning two meters in width, that prompt reflection on the impact of the built environment on people.

By photographing empty spaces devoid of people, Höfer's work paradoxically evokes the presence of those who inhabited them. Viewers are invited to contemplate the discrepancies between the architect's intent and the current state of these spaces, as well as the historical changes they have undergone.

Candida Höfer Solo Exhibition
Dates | Friday, March 7 – Saturday, May 10
*Closed Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays
Hours | 11:00 – 19:00
Venue | Yuka Tsuruno Gallery
2-9-13 Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 2F
Tel. 03-3520-1700