27 May 2008 – 31 July 2008

80 Jahre Che Guevara. Ein Bild wird zur Legende

At the centre there is the most often reproduced photograph in the world. It is the portrait of Che Guevara made by the Cuban photographer Alberto Korda at the beginning of March 1960 during one of Fidel Castro’s rallies: an attractive man in a heroic pose, his gaze steadfastly fixed on a point in the distance. Because of his violent death, his philosophy of life as a convinced revolutionary and this photo Che Guevara became a pop icon of the 68 generation within a very short time. Korda’s portrait took on an independent life, becoming a brand name and attaining a cult status that remains unbroken even today.

In the 60s and 70s Ernesto Rafael Guevara de la Serna, known as Che (friend), who was born on the 14th of June became the symbol of the revolutionary left – or for those who passed themselves off as such. He belonged to the small group that landed with Fidel Castro in 1956 and, in a two year long guerrilla war, toppled dictator Fulgencio Batista. “Comandante Che” who has already become a legend during his own life was a medical doctor, suffered from asthma and was a passionate cigar smoker. At 31 he was made president of the National Bank and then Minister of Industry. His attempt to “export” the revolution failed however. His execution in Bolivia on the 9th of October 1967 made him a legend once and for all.

Address

Westlicht - Schauplatz für Fotografie
Westbahnstrasse 40
1070 Wien
phone +43 1 522 66 36
http://www.westlicht.com

Opening Hours

Tuesday-Friday 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thursday till 9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., closed Monday.

Description of the Museum

Besides the permanent exhibition of an excellent collection of cameras the gallery shows a broad range of exhibitions about artistic photography.

Within 10 days
starting exhibitions
ending exhibitions