German photography has always situated itself at the cutting edge of the world’s art scene, not only for its state-of-the-art innovations in image-making technology, but for its gritty, confrontational subject matter. From edgy captures behind the Berlin Wall to provocative social commentaries, the genre is as provocative as it is visionary. Our hotels in Berlin and Frankfurt are patrons of the art. We’ve partnered with two exemplary local photographers, Kiki Kausch and Daniel Biskup, to showcase Germany’s finest contemporary photography within our properties.
At Villa Kennedy near the banks of the Main, guests are invited to peruse award-winning fine art photographer Kiki Kausch’s Merkel, Power and Models until 31st July 2020. Best-known for her portraits, which reflect upon pressing social issues, Kiki shies from no subject matter. This selection of 12 images probes the relationship between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the world of high fashion. Alongside, visitors are invited to admire a range of Kiki’s iconic portraits, including that of A380 pilot Aisha Al Mansouri applying lipstick in the cockpit and of Kai Diekmann in an empty office on his last day at publisher Axel Springer. Admission is complimentary for guests and visitors.
Meanwhile, in Berlin, Hotel de Rome’s grand lobby, formerly that of the Dresden Bank, serves as an elegant backdrop to a very different display, running until 20th May 2020. Commemorating the one-year anniversary of Karl Lagerfeld’s death, the exhibition features a handpicked selection of portraits of the fashion icon, snapped by pioneering local photographer Daniel Biskup. Shot in 2002, these striking images offer an intimate insight into Lagerfeld’s personal connection with the German capital. These are not images of Lagerfeld at work; rather they capture Lagerfeld the Berliner, in subway stations, garages, telephone boxes and under the atmospheric glow of streetlamps. Hotel de Rome was one of Lagerfeld’s favourite Berlin residences, and it’s easy to see why. Aside from its historic grandeur, the landmark hotel houses a permanent collection of 650 artworks and showcases frequent exhibitions, establishing itself as the epicentre of the city’s cultural scene.
See these extraordinary exhibitions through a new lens with a visit to Hotel de Rome or Villa Kennedy.
To book Hotel de Rome, email reservations.derome@roccofortehotels.com or call +49 30 460 609 1430.
To book Villa Kennedy, email reservations.villakennedy@roccofortehotels.com or call +49 69 717 12 1430.
What began as a single neoclassical building grew into a collection of five world-class museums, set on an island in the heart of the city. Today, Berlin’s Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most celebrated cultural destinations, home to masterpieces ranging from the 3,000-year-old Bust of Nefertiti to the Romantic canvases by German icon Caspar David Friedrich.
In the early 20th century, Munich was a hotbed of artistic innovation. Amid shifting social landscapes, a new school emerged from an intense exchange of ideas that would shape the trajectory of modern art: Der Blaue Reiter, or The Blue Rider. This avant-garde collective left an indelible mark on modern art with their radical departure from tradition and bold exploration of colour and spirituality.
Agrigento’s roots run as deep as the gnarled olive trees that dot its landscape, stretching back over 2,500 years to its founding as Akragas, one of the greatest cities of the ancient Greek world. Set against a breathtaking coastline, this once thriving cultural and political hub was praised by the Greek poet Pindar as “the most beautiful city of mortals”. Today, this splendour is immortalised in the Valley of the Temples.
