T he marquees of the famous Wiesn look like the sacred halls of a cathedral church or the ballrooms of baroque castles. At least in the impressive pictures of the photo artist Michael von Hassel, who has photographed exactly 15 of these temporary amusement buildings for his series “Oktoberfest Cathedrals” since 2010. Without beery hordes of visitors, without a brass band or waitresses lifting beer mugs.
The effect, aided by atmospheric lighting and sophisticated perspectives, is astounding for two reasons: the gigantic size is revealed – more so than when it is full – and the viewer automatically thinks of places of worship at home and abroad, even without the title of the series. Except that the Schottenhammel or the lost Hippodrome, which von Hassel was able to immortalize, do not pay homage to any religion but to pleasure.
Incidentally, despite graduating from high school with the Benedictines, the photographer himself has a mixed relationship with the church, but nonetheless has a feeling for the power and atmosphere of sacred buildings.
And von Hassel can also lend a hand, as he recently said in an interview: when the raised beer benches in the Löwenbräu tent (5800 seats!) bothered him, he put them back on the ground himself. All.
The results of his long-term project can be seen until October 10 in the Rathausgalerie at Marienplatz 8, Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.
You can find more works by Michael von Hassel in the monograph “ Compendium ”, which was published by teNeues.
PS Indispensable so that the notorious Wiesn flu really doesn't stand a chance: the cashmere jacket from Allude with contrasting piping in fuchsia or our slightly coarser knitted cardigan. It's cuddly!
Photos: Michael von Hassel ; Allude
