Exhibition Opening of Holger Thoss' "Wilkenroth Landscapes"

Deutsches Haus at NYU presents the exhibition opening of Holger Thoss’ "Wilkenroth Landscapes" and an artist talk between the photographer and the writer Paul Elie. The exhibition will remain on view at Deutsches Haus at NYU through May 31.

In “Wilkenroth Landscapes,” Holger Thoss embarks on a personal and evocative journey, capturing the landscapes surrounding the quaint village of Wilkenroth, Germany. Through his images, he explores the manifestation of personal memory in physical landscapes, and the overarching themes of identity, nature, and belonging.

Intentionally treading the same paths his parents walk daily, Thoss creates a poignant connection to his past and heritage. Through his lens, Thoss delves deep into his formative relationship with nature, growing up in Germany. Nature wasn’t merely a backdrop to his childhood, but a fundamental force that shaped his sense of being. It fostered within him a profound connection to the universal experience of being alive – the simultaneous connection to both the divine and the grounded self, the harmonious coexistence of body and spirit. This sense of connection to something larger than oneself is related to the concept of self-forgetfulness, where the separation between the self and the world diminishes.

Holger Thoss, a Brooklyn resident with German roots, integrates martial arts into his life to enhance his photography. His lifelong pursuit has been centered around the fundamentals of breathing, moving, and observing. Guided by intuition, he adopted philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein's motto "Don't Think! Look!" as his guiding principle. Photography transcends mere profession or passion for him; it is his art, his craft, and the key to deciphering life's enigmas.

Born in Germany, Holger relocated to New York City in 1988. With a 30-year career in editorial and commercial photography, he currently dedicates his time to personal projects and the creation of public art. A large installation of his “WALK” project was recently exhibited at the Düsseldorf Photo+ Biennale.

About the interlocutor:

Paul Elie is a senior fellow in Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, and a regular contributor to The New Yorker. He is the author of two books, The Life You Save May Be Your Own: An American Pilgrimage (2003) and Reinventing Bach: The Search for Transcendence in Sound (2012), both National Book Critics Circle Award finalists. His third book, The Last Supper: Art, Faith, Sex, and Controversy in the 1980s, will be published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in May 2025. He lives in Brooklyn.

While NYU has ended COVID-19 related restrictions and policies, we continue to remind and recommend to members of the NYU community that they stay up-to-date on their boosters and stay home if they feel sick. Masks are always welcome.

This exhibition and opening event are made possible through an endowment established by Roger J. Schnetzer.

Host or Publisher Deutsches Haus at NYU