Mythos im Verborgenen – Das Auge der Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier (1926–2009) is one of the most fascinating figures in the history of photography – an artist who was only discovered posthumously and whose work is now considered a milestone in street photography. For decades, she documented urban life with an unflinching eye, while remaining almost completely invisible herself. Her legacy – over 150,000 negatives, undeveloped rolls of film, and contact sheets – is a hidden treasure, whose significance was only recognized and made public after her death. The exhibition “Myth in the Shadows – The Eye of Vivian Maier” explores this extraordinary story: the contrast between a life of quiet anonymity and artistic precision, between everyday observation and timeless visual language. In her photographs, we encounter fleeting moments full of depth – children’s gazes, street scenes, reflections, small gestures – seemingly accidental, yet captured with striking precision. Maier worked as a nanny – and led a double life as a silent chronicler of the 20th century. The fact that her images remained unseen for decades has turned her into a legend: an artist who saw everything, yet remained unseen herself. The myth of Vivian Maier raises essential questions: When does a body of work become art? Who decides what is remembered – and who is left in the margins? Accompanying the exhibition, a selection of books offers deeper insight into Vivian Maier’s work and story. They invite visitors to further explore her myth – and sharpen their eye for what often goes unnoticed.