A Multifaceted Journey of Art and Architecture
Early Career in Architecture
Born in 1965 in Eschenbach, Bavaria, Monika von Eschenbach, also known as Monika Bauer, initially pursued a career in architecture. She studied architecture and began her professional journey as an architect, contributing to the design of public buildings in California and Alaska from 1988 to 1991. Later, she extended her expertise to Switzerland, where she continued her architectural endeavors. Notably, she played a pivotal role in the project management of Leipzig-Halle Airport and developed the urban planning concept for the iconic Rheinauhafen in Cologne, including the renowned crane houses in collaboration with star architect and designer Hadi Teherani.
Transition to Conceptual Photography and Installation Art
In 1984, under the alias von Eschenbach, Monika embarked on a parallel career as a conceptual photographer, marking the beginning of a new artistic chapter. Her approach to photography and three-dimensional objects was pioneering, inspiring many international artists with her innovative techniques. While her work is characterized by the unique interplay between photography and relief, it is deeply rooted in an artistic-philosophical concept that transcends mere technical innovation.
Influences and Collaborations
Monika von Eschenbach's artistic vision was shaped by influential figures such as sculptor Ulrich Rückriem, painter Heinz Zolper, multimedia artist Michael (Mike) Jansen, conceptual photographer Heinz-Günter Mebusch, and fellow artist Vera Isler-Leiner. As both a muse and collaborator with Rückriem and an assistant to Zolper, Jansen, Mebusch, and Isler-Leiner, Monika honed her craft and developed a distinct style that seamlessly blended elements of architecture, landscape, and human interaction. Her works often incorporate personal and familial references, inviting viewers into a dialogue that transcends the visual realm.
The Evolution of a Unique Style
At the core of von Eschenbach's artistic expression are her three-dimensional photographic assemblages, which combine photographs and collages in innovative ways. Her pioneering approach to this technique laid the foundation for subsequent artists, but it is her commitment to fostering dialogue between her artworks and the viewer that truly sets her apart. Through her immersive installations and thought-provoking imagery, Monika von Eschenbach invites audiences to engage with her work on a deeper level, exploring the interconnectedness of art, architecture, and human experience.
Engagement with the WTC Project and Western and Eastern Cultural Movements
Over the past years, the artist has been deeply engaged in expanding photography into the third and fourth dimensions. This includes works in installation, performance, and video art. A project of particular significance is the WTC Project, which references the symbolism of the World Trade Towers and the events of 9/11. In doing so, she draws upon analyses of both Western and Eastern cultural movements, reflecting on their significance and influence on modern society. Through her artistic exploration of this historical event, the artist creates a space for critical reflection and intercultural dialogue.
Collections (selection)
Galerie für zeitgenössische Kunst, Leipzig
Frauenmuseum, Bonn
MoMA, Museum of Modern Art, New York
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
National 9/11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center
MOMus - Metropolitan Organisation of Museums Thessaloniki
MoCA Skopje Museum of Contemporary Art, Skopje
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington DC
SFMOMA, San Francisco
ZKM Karlsruhe
MAMAC Nizza
Museum der Moderne Salzburg – Rupertinum
PAC Austria, Salzburg, Wien
Artforum Collection, Athen
Artforum Culture Foundation
Winter Stiftung Hamburg
Winter collection, Hamburg
Mensing collction, Hamburg
ArtExpert collection, Archiv Thessaloniki | Athen
Collection Kokkinis, Athen, New York
Collection Isler-Leiner, Basel
Hopper Hotel St. Antonius, Dagobertstraße, Köln,‚Monika Bauer – Zimmer‘
MBN-Bau, Jugendherberge Köln-Deutz
Gerling Konzern, Bauhaus Galerie
Bothe Richter Teherani, Architekten, Hamburg
KSP Engel und Zimmermann, Architekten, Köln
Barten und Barten, die Agentur, Köln
Freshfields, Köln, Das Kranhaus, Rheinauhafen 3/3
moderne stadt, Köln, Das Kranhaus, Rheinauhafen 2/3
Private collections in Hamburg, Basel, Zürich, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, Abu Dhabi, Thessaloniki, Athen
Literature:
Der weibliche Blick, 1989/90
Ost - West. 10 Jahre später, 1999
Eines Tages vor sehr langer Zeit, 2005
Fotografien, Collagen, Verknüpfungen, o.J.
Der Rheinauhafen - Köln und seine Bauten, Bachem Verlag, 2011
Nexus, Athen I Marbella, 2012, Reprint 2018
Monika von Eschenbach | Jana Dettmer, 2020/21
Fata Morgana, 2022
Die weibliche Sicht auf die Welt, 2022
No War, 2023
WTC - 9/11. Deconstruction and Reconstruction of the World, 2024
Monika von Eschenbach, Monograph | catalogue raisonné 1984-2024, 2025
Instagram
@monika.von.eschenbach
LINKS