When we think of Venice, we think of the beautiful, morbid city in the sea. But what you see at first
glance is usually just the facade - a mask. Too easily we overlook the fact that Venice is an
organism that lives, breathes and is constantly changing.
Photographer and graphic designer Stefan Hilden has tracked down the blind spots in our perception
of Venice. In his illustrated book he shows where times have passed and left their traces, dreaming
places whose purpose has been lost, but whose next life is already preparing. We meet the guardians
of these places. People who accompany the transition, who live and work here, in front of and
behind the scenes. We go to places where those gather who have become strangers to this coulisse.
Who invent a new, alternative, creative and very venetian life in new places.
Through his collaboration in the Venetian artist collective "Organico", through personal contacts
and friendships, Stefan Hilden was able to take photos of the old, secret, unknown and new Venice.
A journey behind the scenes. A journey to Venexia.
»Ea morte de Venexia, xe anca morta mia.
If Venice dies, I die too.«
»Hilden's photographs breathe; as you turn the pages (...) the images radiate
sensuality.«
Till Bartels in: Stern, 5/5/2021
»Hilden (...) has been behind the scenes of Venice with his camera and leaves the
viewer - however accustomed to images one may be - in astonishment.«
Buchkultur, Issue 195, 2/2021
»They are partly dreary and serious, but frequently also funny and powerful
images that have emerged there in the everyday life of Venetians and in the context
of their stories.«
Stefan Fischer in: Süddeutsche Zeitung, 4/29/21
»'Venexia' is one of the most unusual photo books about Venice:
composed of 12 gripping, highly subjective photo essays, its experimental
visual language finds precisely those photographic voids, the blind spots,
that nevertheless complete the image of a city.«
Marc Peschke in: Kunstbuchanzeiger.de, July 5
Stefan Hilden (was) able to take photos of the old, secret, unknown and new
Venice. Photos full of sadness, but also full of confidence, full of sorrow
and full of joy - mystical, touching, different.«
Christina Mondolfo in: Wiener Zeitung, June 25, 2021
»There are numerous illustrated books about Venice, but in this one photographer
Stefan Hilden reveals the soul of the lagoon city.«
Andreas Burkert in: Drive & Style, April 3, 2021
