The Monument

Sibylle Bergemann

Sonia Voss, Frieda von Wild, Lily von Wild

$120

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Miscellaneous
01 March 2026

Individual photographers; Photographic reportage; European history

The Monument brings together for the first time the complete photographic series by Sibylle Bergemann documenting the creation of the Marx-Engels Monument, which was erected on the initiative of the GDR government in 1986, not far from Alexanderplatz in Berlin. This publication presents numerous previously unpublished photographs and opens up a new perspective on one of the photographer's most important groups of works. Bergemann's long-term documentary project-created between 1975 and 1986-is not only presented as an impressive photographic narrative, through the accompanying essays, is also contextualised in historical, socio-political and photographic theory terms. The Monument thus offers comprehensive insights into the creative process behind the series and at the same time makes an important contribution to the critical reassessment of its significance and reception in the area of tension between art and ideology.

AUTHOR: Sibylle Bergemann was one of the most important German photographers of her time. She began photographing in the 1960s as an autodidact and initially worked for the magazine Das Magazin. She later became a freelance photographer for various publications, including Sibylle, Geo and Die Zeit. Her work includes portraits, fashion, reportage and urban photography, whereby she was particularly interested in social fringe zones and poetic image compositions. One of her best-known series documents the creation of the Marx-Engels monument in Berlin (1975-1986). In 1990 she co-founded the OSTKREUZ agency and became a member of the Akademie der Künste in 1994. Her works can be found in international collections, including the MoMA New York, Tate London, the Städel Museum and the Berlinische Galerie.

SELLING POINTS: .

For the first time in book form, Sibylle Bergemann's best-known series which documents the creation of the Marx-Engels monument in Berlin (1975-1986) .

Comprehensive insights into the creative process behind the series .

With numerous previously unpublished photographs .

Accompanied by essays that contextualize Bergemann`s long-term documentary project in historical, socio-political and photographic theory terms .

Published to accompany an exhibition at Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, Paris, from October 29 - January 11, 2025

65 b/w illustrations

By: Sonia Voss, Frieda von Wild, Lily von Wild
Imprint: Miscellaneous
Country of Publication: Germany
Dimensions: Height: 280mm, Width: 200mm,
ISBN: 9783735610454
ISBN 10: 3735610455
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 01 March 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

9 Introduction 11 The Theatres of Sibylle Bergemann Sonia Voss 20 Archives Sibylle Bergemann 31 Dismantling a Monument Before It Is Erected: On the Reception of Sibylle Bergemann’s Work Series Das Denkmal in East and West Germany Lily von Wild 39 The Monument Sibylle Bergemann 67 In Suspense Sibylle Bergemann’s Photographic Monuments Steffen Siegel 73 Ein Gespenst Verlässt Europa Heiner Müller 97 Translation to come Christian Joschke 102 Archives Sibylle Bergemann 113 Eleven years. Frieda von Wild 118 Biography

Sibylle Bergemann was one of the most important German photographers of her time. She began photographing in the 1960s as an autodidact and initially worked for the magazine Das Magazin. She later became a freelance photographer for various publications, including Sibylle, Geo and Die Zeit. Her work includes portraits, fashion, reportage and urban photography, whereby she was particularly interested in social fringe zones and poetic image compositions. One of her best-known series documents the creation of the Marx-Engels monument in Berlin (1975-1986). In 1990 she co-founded the OSTKREUZ agency and became a member of the Akademie der Künste in 1994. Her works can be found in international collections, including the MoMA New York, Tate London, the Städel Museum and the Berlinische Galerie.