TBA21 Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary

Armin Linke

Armin Linke (b. 1966, Milan) is an Italian-German photographer and filmmaker whose interdisciplinary practice critically examines the intersection of human activity, technology, and the environment. His work employs photography and film as tools to explore the "Gestaltung"—the shaping and design—of our natural, technological, and urban landscapes. By collaborating with scientists, architects, historians, and philosophers, Linke creates immersive installations that challenge conventional narratives and question the socio-political structures embedded in visual media.

Linke's artistic journey began with an interest in architecture and theatre, disciplines that influenced his understanding of space and human interaction. Over time, he shifted focus to photography and film, aiming to document and interrogate the transformation of environments through human intervention. His projects often blur the boundaries between fiction and reality, offering nuanced perspectives on global issues such as climate change, technological advancement, and geopolitical dynamics .

Notable works include Prospecting Ocean, a multimedia project commissioned by TBA21–Academy that investigates the technocratic entanglement of industry, science, politics, and economics at the frontiers of ocean exploration. This project reflects Linke's long-term engagement with the Anthropocene, focusing on the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems.

Linke's work has been exhibited internationally at institutions such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation in Frankfurt, and the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin. He has received accolades including the Kubus.Sparda Art Prize in 2019 for Image Capital, a collaborative project exploring the role of photography in the digital age.

Currently, Linke serves as a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich and holds a guest professorship at ISIA Urbino. His academic roles complement his artistic practice, fostering a dialogue between art, science, and education.

For more information on Armin Linke's work and exhibitions, visit his official website: arminlinke.com.

Related works in the collection

Armin Linke OCEANS. Dialogues between ocean floor and water column, 2017

Armin Linke Photoessay related to the “Prospecting Ocean” project, 2016-2017

Armin Linke Prospecting Ocean, 2018

Armin Linke Sea level rise at Kulili Plantation Village, 2017

Daniela Zyman: Das Lachen der Quallen Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther und Franz König, 2024

Fishing for Islands

Oceans. Imagining a Tidalectic Worldview

Stefanie Hessler: Prospecting Ocean
MIT Press, 2019

The Ecologies of Peace

The Ecologies of Peace II Exhibition

Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary: The Commissions Book
Sternberg Press, 2020