Candida Höfer

(Germany 1944-)

Candida Höfer is a german photographer, considered as one of the main figures in contemporary architecture photography. Her subjects are the main public institutions in the absence of human presence; museums without visitors, libraries without readers, concert halls and empty churches. Her color photographs in large format suggest the psychology of social architecture. She prefers frontal symmetry, captured from a high vintage point, and scrupulous details. About her photography she says: “I want to photograph how people behave in public buildings, and how these spaces influence people - to me this is evident when there are no visitors, just as a guest becomes the subject of a conversation when he’s not present ”. Although Höfer photographs the architecture of public buildings, she says that she wants to capture the portraits of the places.

Candida Höfer is a german photographer who belongs to the Dusseldorf School. Together with Struth, Gursky, Ruff, she studied under the direction of Bechers couple, where she distinguished for her color photography in large format. Her works have been displayed in many museums. In 2003 she represented Germany at Venice Biennale.

Selected Books by Candida Höfer