30. October 2016 - 19. February 2017
The Amish
Photographs by Timm Rautert

courtesy of Parrotta Contemporary Art
courtesy of Parrotta Contemporary Art
Foto: Timm Rautert
The Amish are an Anabaptist congregation with roots in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Most Amish left their homes in Europe in 19th century to avoid religious persecution. Today, their descendants in the USA and in Canada are leading a simple life, strictly following what they call “Ordnung”, a set of specific rules that can vary from community to community. Technological innovations will only be permitted if their use doesn't have a negative influence on the community. Smartphones? Disrupt community life and are therefore not permitted. Bicycles? Are permitted, except in Lancaster County. Photographing? Is not permitted, just like posing for photos, because it is regarded as self-presentation. What is permitted in many regions however, is to not explicitly prohibit photographing.
courtesy of Parrotta Contemporary Art
courtesy of Parrotta Contemporary Art
Foto: Timm Rautert

Timm Rautert travelled to Pennsylvania, USA, in 1974 to photograph the Amish. In the accompanying catalogue (published by Steidl in 2011), he says about his experience: “I have witnessed all of this and later read about it as if on a raised blind. I keep my distance – the longer I stay there, the stranger everything seems to me.” From a raised blind, that's how we are forced to observe the Amish, whose way of life is too often romanticized as decorative calendar sheets. Rautert's photographs however grant a glimpse into the world of the Amish, a glimpse that is characterized by authenticity and intimacy – despite the distance he kept out of respect for these people.

courtesy of Parrotta Contemporary Art
courtesy of Parrotta Contemporary Art
Foto: Timm Rautert

Project Management: Tommi Brem
Guided tours:
Sunday, 13 November 2016, 2 pm
Thursday, 8 December 2016, 5 pm
Sunday, 22 January 2017, 2 pm
Thursday, 16 February 2017, 5 pm
Opening Hours
Mo/Tue/We/Fr/Sa 10 am to 6 pm
Thu 10 am to 8 pm
Su 11 am to 6 pm
24 and 25 December 2016 closed
Admission free

Ausstellung im Stadthaus-Kabinett
Ausstellung im Stadthaus-Kabinett
Fotos: Sabine Presuhn
Ausstellung im Stadthaus-Kabinett
Ausstellung im Stadthaus-Kabinett
Fotos: Sabine Presuhn
Ausstellung im Stadthaus-Kabinett
Ausstellung im Stadthaus-Kabinett
Fotos: Sabine Presuhn
Ausstellung im Stadthaus-Kabinett
Ausstellung im Stadthaus-Kabinett
Fotos: Sabine Presuhn