Bruce Gilden in Munich

From 8 May to 7 September 2025, Munich will host an unmissable exhibition by the renowned photographer Bruce Gilden. Titled "A Closer Look", this retrospective can be visited every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Kunstfoyer in Thierschplatz 6, showcasing the raw intensity of Gilden’s iconic New York street photography.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is the presentation video, where Bruce Gilden himself introduces and discusses his work—right at the venue where his images are displayed. This isn't a video shot elsewhere and adapted for the exhibition; it’s a truly immersive experience, shot in the very space you'll be walking through.

Gilden’s approach to photography is bold and unapologetic. He charges straight at his subjects, almost predatory, as though New York’s Fifth Avenue were his hunting ground. He captures the raw, unfiltered essence of urban life with such close proximity that his subjects could almost reach out and touch him.

While some might argue that Gilden’s method borders on intrusion, he maintains that his subjects’ awareness of his presence gives him permission to photograph them. And sometimes, if the moment calls for it, he’s known to guide his subjects into a better pose with a quick, decisive hand gesture.

Of course, this intense approach sometimes leads to conflict, particularly when he flashes his subjects with a sudden, blinding burst of light to emphasize the city’s chaotic energy and the tension of its hurried inhabitants. One can’t help but wonder just how often a fist has landed square on Gilden’s nose during these encounters.