In 1970, physicist and scientific researcher Werner Kraus was given an unusual assignment: to photographically document combustion in the Wankel engine for Daimler-Benz. He responded by developing an extremely fast lens that could faithfully reproduce the process on a 1:1 scale. He immediately recognised the artistic potential of this unique optical system. Together with sculptor Erhard Hößle, he starts an unprecedented project that combines science, art, craftsmanship and spectacular self-experience: they build the IMAGO Camera, the only walk-in large-format camera in the world that produces life-size direct-exposure images.
Influenced by the Fluxus and Happening Art of the 1970s, Kraus and Hößle have created an interactive work of art with the IMAGO Camera that lures the viewer out of their passive corner and makes them part of the artistic process themselves. A unique photographic experience that combines art, craftsmanship, science and spectacular self-staging. And a medium whose importance is still growing today, because its session character is at odds with the ego hegemony of the digitalized world.
In 1972, the IMAGO Camera was inaugurated in Munich and presented in numerous exhibitions until 1978, including Photokina Cologne, Haus der Kunst Munich, World Exhibition of Photography Nuremberg.
The inventors of the IMAGO Camera, physicist Werner Kraus (r.) and artist Erhard Hößle (l.), Haus der Kunst, Munich 1974
Werner Kraus sets up the lens of the IMAGO Camera, in the foreground the IMAGOgram from Kraus and Hößle
© Annegret Kohlmayer
In 2005, Susanna Kraus, daughter of Werner Kraus, retrieved the stored IMAGO Camera from the Neue Sammlung (New Collection) of the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich and restored it to working order. The IMAGO Camera found a home in Berlin, traveled around the world for festivals and exhibitions, and became an integral part of the European art and photography scene. In 2013, the IMAGO world was expanded to include a mobile version of the camera: the IMAGO:Fotour.
The IMAGO Camera has been presented in numerous exhibitions and used artistically, including at: Haus der Kunst Munich, World Exhibition of Photography Nuremberg, Photokina Cologne, Pinakothek der Moderne, Neue Sammlung Munich, ZKM Karlsruhe, Rotterdam, Shanghai.
In 2025, Susanna tragically passed away.
Today, IMAGO is continued by Dr. Bodo Reck—in the spirit of the Kraus family and with the same enthusiasm for photography that creates unique pieces.
Idea and artistic realization: Werner Kraus and Erhard Hößle. After 2 years of construction, the opening takes place as part of a major art event for Munich’s cultural scene at the time.
World Exhibition of Photography Nuremberg, Photokina Cologne, Autumn Salon Haus der Kunst, Neue Sammlung Munich, Galerie Hartmann, Munich
Susanna Kraus discovers and reactivates the walk-in self-portrait camera IMAGO. She manages to persuade ILFORD Switzerland to relaunch the Direct Positive Paper.
returns the IMAGO Camera to Susanna Kraus. The camera is restored together with her two sons in the rooms of the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich under the patronage of Dieter Rehm. In Vienna, for the Month of Photography, the IMAGO Camera is in operation for the public for the first time in 30 years.
and traveled around the world for festivals and exhibitions, including Neue Sammlung Munich, ZKM Karlsruhe, Rotterdam and Shanghai. It became an integral part of the European art and photography scene and inspired countless people worldwide to take impressive portraits. IMAGO offers inspiration and a space for encounters for photographic art projects. Guests at the IMAGO Camera include Jonathan Meese, Daniel Richter, Peter Sloterdijk, Nick Cave, Umberto Eco, Wim Wenders and many other greats from the worlds of art and culture.
In 2025, Susanna Kraus tragically passed away.
Today, IMAGO is run by Dr. Bodo Reck—in the spirit of the Kraus family and with the same enthusiasm for photography that creates unique pieces.
Without the support of certain people and companies, the reactivation of the camera would not have been possible. For their never-ending passion and love for IMAGO, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks with a “Light on all your ways!” to the following people and companies:
| Ilford Switzerland | HARMAN Technology UK, Mr. David Peter Jones, Ex CEO of Ilford Swiss & UK | Dr. Gisela Kaiser, Munich | Annegret Kohlmayer, Vienna – Photokina/Messe, Cologne | Die Photoautomaten, Berlin | Lomographische Gesellschaft Wien | Thomas Schenck (SM Filmdienst) | Florian Hufnagel (Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich) | Peter Weibel (ZKM Karlsruhe) | Dieter Rehm (Akademie der Künste) | Andreas Velten, Berlin | Floris Neusüß, Kassel, Stefan und Lisa Boerger (Delicut) | Christoph Kardinal Schönborn, Vienna | Monat der Fotografie Wien, Thomas Liecek – Technisches Museum Wien | Gottfried und Gerda Haberer | Die Wiener & Münchner Truppe der Anfangsstunde, Elena Capra, Florian Peljak und Jakob Berr | Severin Matusek | Christoph Santner von RealMakers, Vienna | Erika Borbély-Hansen, Frederic Thywissen, Berlin | Yasmine Benhadj-Djilali/YBDD, Architektur Kunstraum | Vertrieb Fotopapier DPP Hans O.Mahn GmbH, Maco Photoproducts | Miriam Bers, Bers Art Consulting, Go Art Berlin |
You need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from Turnstile. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou need to load content from hCaptcha to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from Turnstile. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information
