The exhibition 'Civilization' explores the multifaceted aspects of our incredibly complex coexistence, ranging from humanity's significant achievements to our collective failures. It examines cultures from all continents, highlighting how we produce and consume, work and play, travel and live, think and create, collaborate and conflict. In an era marked by increasing division among people and opinions, where achieving necessary consensus seems ever more challenging, this exhibition focuses on our commonalities.

Never before in human history have so many individuals been so diversely interconnected and simultaneously dependent on one another. The modern Olympic Games, the giant jumbo jet, smartphones and social media, as well as artificial intelligence--all of these phenomena, while often controversial, would not exist without the preserved knowledge of earlier times and the collaborative efforts of highly skilled and motivated individuals.

The exhibition features 230 photographs, guiding visitors through eight captivating chapters that delve into central aspects of civilization. The first space, metaphorically titled 'BIENENSTOCK' (Beehive), showcases photographs that document the often complex interactions of people in the world's megacities. It reveals not only the architectural uniqueness and geographical features of these cities but also the diverse lifestyles of individuals in urban daily life.

The next chapter, 'ZUSAMMEN ALLEIN' (Together Alone), investigates our lives at the intersection of individuality and collectivity, highlighting our desire for belonging and community while striving to maintain our identities. 'KONTROLLIEREN' (Controlling) addresses the often invisible contexts in which authority and power are exercised. 'FLIESSEN' (Flow) covers the movement of people, goods, and finances, along with the highly sophisticated infrastructures that keep our civilization functioning.

'BEEINFLUSSEN' (Influencing) examines various strategies used to trigger needs and manipulate behavior. 'BRECHEN' (Breaking) focuses on the causes and consequences of conflicts and migration, as well as the fracture points within our societal structures. 'ENTFLIEHEN' (Escaping) shows how the intricate mechanisms of the holiday and leisure industry and mass events allow individuals to escape their daily lives and retreat into dream worlds. The final chapter, 'ALS NÄCHSTES' (Next), looks at the world that is becoming our future. The increasingly drastic human interventions in our environment and their often alarming or encouraging--but always fascinating--consequences raise questions about ethical responsibility in dealing with new technologies and the need for adaptability in the face of ecological challenges.

Alongside renowned artists such as Candida Höfer, Edward Burtynsky, and Thomas Struth, the exhibition also features younger photographers in the midst of their careers, including Pablo López Luz, Sheng-Wen Lo, and Julia Chamberlain.