In the Winter of 1995, due to the mediation of the wonderful and engaged art enthusiast Jutta Weitz, a group of photographers (some of which include Arno Fischer, Sibille Bergmann, Michael Ebert, Hendrik Rauch, Frank Silberbach, Maurice Weiß) and fellow art enthusiasts (Henner Merle, Michaeljohn Krusche) came together. Their goal was to create a space in Berlin for photography where not only would photograph-art be shown and workshops and lectures be given, yet it should also facilitate the meeting of artists and art enthusiasts as well as discussions and dialog amongst them.

The gallery should serve as a means of introduction and exhibition for internationally known photographers that are either unknown in Germany or haven’t exhibited here before. Furthermore, young unknown photographers should be introduced and exhibited here.

The ZFF (Zentrum für Fotographie) German for “Center for Photography” opened its gallery in late October 1997 under the direction of Henner Merle with a much acclaimed exhibition of the photographer and laboratory technician Pierre Gassmann. Despite the great success, the ZFF was forced to close its doors in the Fall of 1998 just after 5 exhibitions due to a breach of contract by the landlord. This is how an ambitious and successful project came much too soon to a premature end …