Candida Hofer / Rui Xavier: Silent Spaces

The Portuguese filmmaker Rui Xavier (b. Porto, 1974; lives and w orks in
Lisbon)
spent two years shadowing the world-renowned photographer Candida
Höfer (b. Eberswalde, 1944; lives and works in Cologne). Höfer, who studied
with Bernd and Hilla Becher at the Düsseldorf Academy of Arts, is known
for her haunting pictures of libraries, museums, theaters, and opera houses.
Xavier’s film—a DVD is included with the book—shows the artist as she
takes pictures, works in the studio and at home, and prepares exhibitions in
far-flung locations including Düsseldorf, London, and São Paulo. Xavier has
created a dense and empathetic portrait of the artist; confident in the power
of his visuals, he has made a film without words. Reproductions of selected
major works by Candida Höfer that appear in the film, a note by her on working
with Rui Xavier, an introduction by Herbert Burkert, film stills, and an
essay by Xavier shed light on the background and the making of the film as
well as the artist’s oeuvre.