KBr Fundación MAPFRE Barcelona Photo Center Entry Tickets

Lenses That Capture Zeitgeists

The 'Zeitgeist,' literally translating to 'spirit of the time' in German, reflects the essence of an era and has been documented throughout history through various texts. But the invention of the camera changed everything. It has never been easier to connect with emotions and moments, immortalized in pixels.

The KBr Photography Center, launched by the Fundación MAPFRE, is situated in the vibrant environment of Port Olímpic in Barcelona. Explore its 1400 m2 of space to discover 2 impressive main halls housing photographic works from around the world, spanning from the past to the present. Here, stirring permanent collections await you.

Explore works captured by the lenses of legendary photographers like Diane Arbus, Graciela Iturbide, and Paolo Gasparini. And keep an eye out for temporary exhibitions.

New Exhibitions

Until May 12th, 2024

• Consuelo Kanaga: Capturing the Spirit

Throughout six decades, American photographer Consuelo Kanaga (1894-1976) captured the social conflicts of her time, from urban poverty to the struggle for workers' rights, the terror of racial segregation, and social inequality. A pioneer of photojournalism, she mastered various genres such as still life, but became particularly known for her emotive and introspective social portraits featuring African Americans, where she combined modernist formal techniques and radical documentary politics. This exhibition, organized by the Brooklyn Museum in collaboration with Fundación MAPFRE and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, traces the artist's radical photographic vision through almost five hundred vintage prints and two hundred fifty negatives, as well as archival material from her collection.

• The Domestic Camera: Photographic Hobby in Catalonia (ca. 1880-1936)

From the late 19th century until the outbreak of the Civil War, an amateur and popular photographic culture flourished in Catalonia. It happened in parallel with developments in other parts of Europe and marked the first time in history that individuals could represent themselves without relying on artistic or technical knowledge. This exhibition aims to revisit this phenomenon by focusing on a selection of recurring visual themes and motifs from this period. It will provide insight into who practiced photography as a hobby and how the language of amateur and popular photography was established in the early 20th century, combining parameters of the international market, the technical and artistic aspirations of amateur photographers, and the specific social and cultural traits of the region.