Since April 28 the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum has shown over 40 exclusive and impressive photographs by Albert Watson, one of the most successful fashion and portrait photographers in the world, within the framework of “Albert Watson: 14 Days in Benin”. Last Sunday July 28 the doors of the exhibition opened for the last time.
Accompanied by numerous exhibitors, the exhibition “Albert Watson: 14 Days in Benin” ended with an exclusive fashion show by Ernsting’s family and an open tour for all visitors. “Albert Watson: 14 Days in Benin” was part of the “Albert Watson: Visions feat. Cotton made in Africa” retrospective shown in the House of Photography/ Deichtorhallen and curated by Ingo Taubhorn. In addition to the new photos from Benin, the world famous portrait of Alfred Hitchcock was also on display.
In December 2011, the initiative succeeded in winning internationally famous star photographer Albert Watson for a two-week trip through Benin to photograph the people and their everyday lives. The resulting pictures offer insight into the world of the cotton farmers and communicate a better understanding of Africa and CmiA’s work. Watson’s photographs impressively portray the project’s social and ecological goals without catering to visual stereotypes of rural Africa. The exhibit was a cooperation between the Deichtorhallen/House of Photography and the Aid by Trade Foundation. The show in Cologne was initiated by the Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (German Investment and Development Society, DEG) and Ernsting’s Family, a Cotton made in Africa Initiative demand partner. Additional support for the show comes from OTTO and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Society for International Cooperation, GIZ).