THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION - Hannes Schmid
80 on Earth, 60 in motion
To mark his 80th birthday, photoSCHWEIZ is dedicating a major special exhibition to Hannes Schmid. Schmid presents works ranging from mythical cowboys to religious mass rituals to rock icons—a visual archive of human beliefs lovingly curated by his wife, Hillary, and an invitation to take a closer look.
© Hannes Schmid
Hannes Schmid is a Swiss photographer whose work is characterized by a deep curiosity about people and cultures. For decades, he has documented ways of life ranging from cowboys and rock stars to pilgrims at the Kumbh Mela—always with an eye for authenticity. His work straddles the line between documentary observation and staged imagery. Known for iconic advertising campaigns such as Marlboro, he devotes his independent projects to spiritual rituals, urban subcultures, and indigenous communities. Schmid does not photograph from the outside; instead, he immerses himself and builds trust. His images tell stories of dignity, devotion, and resistance.
His most recent photography project, *Concerned Photography*, took him to Cambodia—and became a turning point. What he saw and photographed there stayed with him. His encounters with disadvantaged communities gave rise not only to a series of photographs but also to a commitment: Schmid founded *Smiling Gecko*, an initiative that opens up new perspectives for local people. Photography became the starting point for action—evolving from a record of reality to a sense of responsibility.
At photoSCHWEIZ 26, Schmid presents works ranging from mythical cowboys to religious mass rituals to rock icons—a visual archive of human beliefs and an invitation to take a closer look.
© Hannes Schmid
© Hannes Schmid