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About German (Cologne) photographer, CHARGESHEIMER (1924-1971/72)
Karl Heinz (also Carl-Heinz) Hargesheimer, known by the artist name CHARGESHEIMER, studied graphics and photography at the Cologne factory schools after the Second World War. From 1950 he experimented with abstract light structures on photo paper and with photo montages. He has been working as a freelance photographer since 1955 and attracted attention both through biting portraits of public figures and through realistic reports on his compatriots. He loved Cologne and was closely connected to the city all his life; He viewed the development of Cologne in the reconstruction phase and also later very critically. In 1968 he was awarded its culture prize by the DGPh (German Society for Photography). In early January 1972, CHARGESHEIMER was found dead in his apartment.
Photo books by, on the photographic work as well as with works by CHARGESHEIMER
- 'Cologne intime' (1957); 'Im Ruhrgebiet' (1958, text: Heinrich Böll); 'Unter Krahnenbäumen' (1958, 1998, 2012, foreword: Heinrich Böll); 'Berlin. Bilder einer großen Stadt' (1959); 'Romanik am Rhein' (1959); 'Menschen am Rhein' (1960); 'Zwischenbilanz' (1961); 'Armstrong & Fitzgerald. Photo folder with 16 pictures' (1961); 'Cologne fotografiert in Farbe' (1965); 'Theater, Theater' (1967); 'Köln 5 Uhr 30' (1970); 'Hannover' (1970); 'Köln 1970/1995' (1996, with photographs by CHARGESHEIMER and Wolfgang VOLLMER); 'Chargesheimer 1924 - 1971. Bohemien aus Köln' (2007); 'Chargesheimer. Die Entdeckung des Ruhrgebiets '(2014); 'Chargesheimer fotografiert Jazz. Köln 1950-1970' (2022); 'Fotogeschichten Kölner Südstadt' (together with works by Eusebius WIRDEIER, planned for 2024);
on the reception history of the photographic work by CHARGESHEIMER
After CHARGESHEIMER had made a name for itself with the volume 'Cologne intime' (1957), Spiegel publisher Augstein ordered a portrait of Konrad Adenauer for the front page from him shortly before the 1957 federal election. Corresponding to Augstein's hopes, the image of a "mask-like face carved in granite, which told of political petrification and old age" was created. Due to the indignation that followed, CHARGESHEIMER became known nationwide.
In 1958 the Lord Mayor of Essen reacted to the illustrated book 'Ruhrgebiet' published by CHARGESHEIMER: 'We are thoroughly tired of being portrayed in this way by outsiders [...] We do not intend to accept such publications without being contradicted [...] We accept such representations not!'
In 1995 Wolfgang VOLLMER photographed the locations from the photo book 'Cologne 5:30 a.m.' again.
In 2004 the Cologne band BAP referred in their song 'Unger Krahnebäume' to the illustrated book of the same name above that street in Cologne.
In 2006 a small square between the cathedral and the old waiting room of Cologne Central Station was named after CHARGESHEIMER. A bronze plaque reminds of him there.
In 2007/2008 the Museum Ludwig, Cologne showed the estate in the museum; with additional, previously unknown documents and photographs.
In 2014/2015 the Ruhr Museum, Essen, showed the photos of the illustrated book 'Ruhrgebiet' in the Zeche Zollverein.
2022 CHARGESHEIMER was rediscovered as a contemporary witness of Cologne's jazz music history of the 1950s and 1960s on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his death. Cologne was considered the 'Mecca of German jazz fans' in those decades. In addition to a special exhibition in the new building of the city archive at the Eifelwall, a coffee-table book was published, which is more extensive by about 100 photos.
The illustrated book 'Fotogeschichten der Kölner Südstadt' with works by CHARGESHEIMER is planned for 2024.