SÜDWALL, Gallery ASPN, Leipzig
all installation views by Stefan Fischer
SÜDWALL, Friche la Belle du Mai, Marseille
all installation views by Geoffroy Mathieu
The project was developed in cooperation with Goethe Institut Marseille, Le Garage Photographie Marseille and Collection Regard.
Curated by Laura Serani
The Südwall represents the long, complex and conflicted history of Germany and France until the catastrophe of the two World Wars. These military fortifications were built by the Germans all along the Mediterranean coast (from Nice to Perpignan) and were used as defense posts against the Allied forces. In Marseille, these bunkers are still present, along the coast and on the Archipelago du Frioul. The artist has also studied the history of Marseille as a city of exile. Following the footsteps of Varian Fry, founder of the Emergency Rescue Committee , which enabled many intellectuals and artists to leave Europe in Marseille, Margret Hoppe records the traces of these figures who hoped for freedom through Marseille.