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Salzgitter

ATELIER 70 “Moments of Illusion”

The Salzgitter Volkshochschule invites you to the opening of the exhibition titled “Moments of Illusion” on Thursday, September 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the VHS Photo Gallery, Thiestraße 26a, in Lebenstedt.

Andreas Parke: "The Breathing Statue" Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Parke
Lothar Siems: Find Ilsebill Photo: Courtesy of Lothar Siems

The 2026 annual theme of the ATELIER 70 photography group is “Moments of Illusion.” Five female photographers and six male photographers are exhibiting 31 recent works.

In photography, moments of illusion are like little magic tricks that can fool our brains for the blink of an eye. And that is precisely where the thrilling magic of photographic composition lies. Using perspective illusions, long exposure times to create illusions of time, reflections and mirror images, as well as double exposures and other techniques, the photographers create visual worlds in which these moments take shape. In this way, people from the present can interact with ancestors from the distant past, and transparent bodies can merge into dreamlike poses. Staged realities and surreal spaces that do not actually exist, along with other astonishing photographic magic tricks, await visitors.

Christel Schmidt: Coffee Chat Photo: Courtesy of Christel Schmidt
Patrick Riancho: Illusion Photo: Courtesy of Patrick Riancho
Wolfgang Runge: Where to Put the Moon? Photo: Courtesy of Wolfgang Runge

About the ATELIER 70 Photography Club

The ATELIER 70 Photography Club at the Salzgitter Volkshochschule is a creative group of dedicated photographers of all ages who are united by their love of photography. Started in 1970 as a photography course at the Volkshochschule, the group evolved into a photography club that joined the German Association for Photography in 1975. Members work independently but exchange ideas, learn from one another, and exhibit their work together.

Within the group, photographic concepts and techniques are intensively explored, taught, and put into practice. Learning to “see” through photography and composing images are fundamental objectives. During image reviews, participants critically examine, discuss, and evaluate their own photographs in depth. In doing so, members engage with the concepts and questions of color theory and image composition, as well as the implementation of creative ideas.

Information on

The exhibition will open on Thursday, September 3, at 7 p.m. at the Volkshochschule Photo Gallery, Thiestraße 26a, in Lebenstedt. Anyone interested is invited to attend.
The works will be on display through November 12 during the opening hours of the Volkshochschule in Lebenstedt (Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon).

Explanations and notes

Picture credits

  • Andreas Parke
  • Lothar Siems
  • Christel Schmidt
  • Patrick Riancho
  • Wolfgang Runge