Erika Kiffl
On the work
Black-and-white photography, Baryta paper print
apieace 30 x 40 cm
1964
During the course of its history the Bahnhof Rolandseck has often served as a refuge – a place for guests of different nationalities, biographies and vocations. They were usually artists – painters, sculptors, musicians or writers – who retired here and brought the place to life for a while. Tales and photographs bear witness to these events. They include those of Erika Kiffl, taken in 1964 in Bahnhof Rolandseck. Eleven of them form part of the collection of the Arp Museum; they are all black-and-white photographs as Baryta paper prints measuring 30 x 40 cm. With these impressive photographic pictures Erika Kiffl shows herself to be a real chronicler of a place which continues to fascinate visitors to this day. Her photographs bear witness to a situation and record moments as well as taking stock of a sociable, creative place, a home and an architectural memorial to the nineteenth century. Good examples of this are the photographs of guests gathered around a long table on the terrace, a staircase with artworks of friendly artists, an exterior view of the station before the plinth level was renovated, and a double door that served as the entrance to the interior of the station.
Erika Kiffl was born 1939 in Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary)/Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic).
She lives and works in Düsseldorf.