Progress, freedoms, conventions, and crises: Never before have so many people lived on Earth at the same time. In modern societies, life together is denser, more diverse, and faster-paced than ever before. Despite vastly different lifestyles, there are key events, inventions, and experiences that connect us—consciously or unconsciously.
The exhibition Civilization captures commonalities and differences in striking photographs. Through the lenses of around 100 internationally renowned photographers, a multifaceted overall picture emerges of contemporary societies and cultures, which are strongly influenced by Western civilization. Their artistic and documentary photographs reveal achievements as well as downsides and illuminate defining aspects. Family, leisure, work, and consumption are juxtaposed with themes such as alienation, crime, environmental destruction, social decay, and war. Thus, in the language of photography, a familiar yet surprising snapshot of our civilization is created