Special Olympics Portrait Project (Opening)

“When I first encountered the Special Olympics in Hamburg in 2004 it was a moving experience,” says photographer Luca Siermann of Stuttgart, explaining the project’s origins. “With the 'portrait project' I would like to show a broader public the excitement and personalities of mentally disabled athletes.” Siermann’s strictly designed spaces, set in a white background, landscape format, and black-and-white photography, moves the athletes and the intensity of the moment to the center.
For the first time, the artist has photographed the National Games 2004 in Hamburg for the German ABB, which has been the official partner for the Special Olympics in Germany since 2000. In 2005 he started the “portrait project,” which can now be seen at
ZKM | Karlsruhe.
From June 16–21, 2008, the “National Summer Games” of the Special Olympics will take place in Karlsruhe. There is opportunity to cheer on mentally disabled athletes at all competition sites. Admission is free of charge.