Hans Hansen Retrospective at Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg Highlights German Object Photography
A significant retrospective showcasing the work of photographer Hans Hansen (born 1940) will be held at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg from April 17 to November 1, 2026. This exhibition, supported by a grant of €29,575 from the Kulturstiftung der Länder, features an archive obtained in 2020, which includes 10,000 slides, print proofs, letters, documents, and 225 prints. Hansen, a prominent figure in German object photography, pursued Applied Graphics at the Staatliche Kunstakademie Düsseldorf and began his freelance career in the mid-1960s, working with clients such as Volkswagen and Lufthansa. The exhibition will also showcase his impact on artists like Ricarda Roggan and Annette Kelm, with additional funding from various foundations. The museum is situated at Steintorplatz, 20099 Hamburg.
Key facts
- Retrospective of photographer Hans Hansen runs April 17 to November 1, 2026 at Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg
- Exhibition funded by €29,575 from Kulturstiftung der Länder
- Based on archive acquired by MK&G in 2020 containing ~10,000 slides, documents, and 225 prints
- Hans Hansen (born 1940) is a leading German object photographer
- He worked for major clients including Volkswagen, Lufthansa, Nikon, and Jil Sander
- His 1988 photo of a disassembled VW Golf comprised about 7,000 parts
- Show explores analog photography in design culture and influence on artists like Ricarda Roggan
- Additional support from Hamburg city funds and several private foundations
Entities
Artists
- Hans Hansen
- Tapio Wirkkala
- Ricarda Roggan
- Annette Kelm
- Gerti Alma Erfurt
- Otl Aicher
- Jonathan Bell
Institutions
- Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg
- Kulturstiftung der Länder
- Staatliche Kunstakademie Düsseldorf
- Volkswagen AG
- Lufthansa
- Nikon
- Vitra
- Erco
- Siemens
- Sony
- Perrier
- Jil Sander
- Stern
- Harper’s Bazaar
- Vogue
- Ausstellungsfonds der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg
- Hubertus-Wald-Stiftung
- Karin Stilke Stiftung
- Hans Brökel Stiftung für Wissenschaft und Kultur
- Martha-Pulvermacher-Stiftung
- Manfred Heiting Trust
- Düsseldorf Art Academy
- Doyle Dane Bernbach
- Wallpaper* magazine
- Iittala
- Volkswagen
- Kodak
- Porsche
- Mercedes-Benz
- Fiat
Locations
- Hamburg
- Germany
- Bielefeld
- Düsseldorf
- New York
- Finland