October 28, 2025–May 3, 2026
The Met
Explore the transformative power of the camera through the groundbreaking exhibition View Finding: Selections from The Walther Collection, hosted at The Met Fifth Avenue. This exhibition offers a captivating journey into modern and contemporary photography, revealing how artists use the camera not only as a device to capture images but as a visionary tool to navigate and reinterpret our ever-changing environments.
At its core, the exhibition embodies the vision of Artur Walther, whose commitment to expanding the boundaries of photography led to the assembly of a remarkable private collection spanning over thirty years and five continents. This vast array of more than 6,500 photographs showcases a diverse mix of artists — from internationally acclaimed masters to emerging talents — each presenting unique perspectives on hyperlocal subjects within a global context.
Through this diverse lens, viewers are invited to consider the camera’s role as both a method of creative expression and a critical instrument for social commentary. The artists featured in View Finding delve deeply into a wide variety of settings: the bustling sidewalks of Nairobi, the iconic storefronts of New York’s Fifth Avenue, and serene public parks from Tokyo to Tangier. They explore intimate, often overlooked spaces such as private bedrooms and parking lots, uncovering unexpected narratives and moments of personal and social reflection.
The exhibition not only underscores photography’s capacity to document but also its power to highlight shifting cultural landscapes and prompt reconsideration of space and identity. The selected works challenge the viewer to see the familiar anew, encouraging a thoughtful engagement with how environments influence and reflect human experience. View Finding therefore serves as a significant cultural bridge, illuminating the rich intersections of place, perception, and memory through the pioneering vision of The Walther Collection.
For art enthusiasts and those intrigued by contemporary photographic practices, this exhibition promises an enlightening experience. It invites you to witness how the simple act of framing a scene through a camera lens can transform how we understand ourselves and the world around us. Dive deeper into these compelling narratives and explore the full spectrum of modern photographic artistry at The Met’s Gallery 851.
