Agency

The agency is called OSTKREUZ. Ostkreuz is the name of a busy interchange rail station
in Berlin whose forms recalls a compass rose as rail lines from various directions merge together.
In autumn 1990, seven men and women who were some of the GDR’s most significant photographers,
got together and established this photographer’s agency. ‘Ostkreuz’ sought to describe a location,
the East, where a country had yet ceased to exist but also referred to a point, an intersection
from which one can set out in any direction.

Today, Ostkreuz is the most successful photographers’ run agency in Germany with 22 photographers.
Almost all of them have been distinguished with national and international prizes.
They come from all regions in Germany and other European countries.
Each sees the world in their own way and thus, is interested in something else.
All photographers set out in different directions but reconvene at this point called ‘Ostkreuz’.
Ostkreuz is an approach; it means confronting and working with reality.
To detect and depict the core of things, thereby remaining sincere.
It means being genuine, nothing more, nothing less.

(Marcus Jauer)