Marcus Kaiser

Photography
International Relations & Exchange

marcus.kaiser@thws.de

In his artistic works Marcus Kaiser explores the concept of the image.
Lisa-Marie Kaspar

Marcus Kaiser, born in 1966 in Stuttgart, Germany, is a photographer and artist known for his exploration of the medium of photography within historical, philosophical, cultural, and social contexts. He spent his childhood in Schorndorf and pursued studies in photography under Gottfried Jäger and sociology with Niklas Luhmann at Bielefeld. He later completed postgraduate studies in media art at HFG Karlsruhe, where he was mentored by notable figures such as Thomas Struth and Boris Groys.

Artistic Focus
Kaiser’s work critically examines the nature of images in everyday life and fine arts. He investigates various forms and structures of images, aiming to understand their impact on individuals and society. His research delves into the specific properties of media and the ideological implications they carry. A significant aspect of his work is the analysis of how images function within cultural memory.

Notable Works
One of his key projects is “Mauerblicke/Wall Views,” which he created in 1990. This work combines historical documentation with an analysis of photography itself, particularly focusing on the Berlin Wall’s significance as both a physical barrier and a metaphorical representation of division. Through innovative techniques such as using a Camera Obscura, Kaiser transforms the wall into a medium for capturing images, thereby questioning the relationship between subject and object in photography.

Academic Contributions
Since 2012, Marcus Kaiser has been teaching photography and the history of photography at the Faculty of Design at THWS Würzburg-Schweinfurt. His academic role emphasizes the interplay between artistic practice and research, encouraging students to engage critically with contemporary image politics and cultures.

In addition to his teaching, Kaiser recently published a book titled “Im Blick der Bilder. Digitalität, Fotografie und Bildkultur,” which discusses contemporary image theory and its relevance in light of digital advancements.
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Exhibitions
Kaiser’s work has been featured in numerous exhibitions internationally, including:

2024: Making New Worlds Instead of Forgetting About It – Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw
2021: The Centre for Contemporary Art – Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw
2020: A Short History of Photographic Art – Kunstmuseum Heidenheim
2017: National Media Museum, Bradford, UK3