It's a triangle: photographer - model - viewer. Jim Rakete wants eye-contact.
Between 2009 and 2011, Jim Rakete shot portraits for the German Movie Museum (Deutsches Filmmuseum) in Frankfurt. Legends, talents, and creators of German cinema - and they all have one thing in common: They brought along one prop. An object which possesses a special meaning or which holds a memory for them. Christoph Waltz wore the watch from "Inglourious Basterds".
Actor Moritz Bleibtreu is holding the weapon in his hand which used to be his while playing Abdul in "Knocking on Heaven's Door" (1997). He is Abdul. Strong, proud and stupid. The relaxed pose awakens memories and you're in the middle of the movie again.
Those pictures are intimate. But even though I have only watched a very small part of all those films the portraits are reminiscent of, it is like I am entering a dialog with those people and the artist.
Jim Rakete is one of Germany's most renowed photographers who started working for newspapers and agencies at age 17 and made a name for himself when he took pictures of Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and Mick Jagger. In the 80s he worked as a music manager for German bands such as Spliff, Die Ärzte or Nena.
The original intention for this exhibition was to create a Hall of Fame. Rakete ended up taking 100 portraits. Jürgen Vogel, Nora Tschirner, Caroline Link, Wim Wenders... even though I only met one of those 100 in real life for an interview, they all felt close. Due to the central role of the objects, the props they are holding, Rakete decided - against his habit - to take all pictures in color. Still, there is very little color in the pictures. They are earthy, sometimes graphite colored, however, there is a certain warmth.
One of my favorites - besides Moritz Bleibtreu and his gun - is Ulrich Turkur with the coat from "John Rabe". He seems to be imperturbable, one with his prop, and doesn't even care that a dog is licking his ear. It is like Rakete has pushed the pause button.
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