With “HÔTEL NOIR II”, Berlin-based photographer J. Konrad Schmidt presents a photographic work that combines the aesthetics of analog black-and-white film with the atmosphere of international grand hotels and the intimacy of female encounters. The exhibition at the Berlin photography institution Chaussee 36 invites visitors until April 4, 2026 to immerse themselves in a dark yet highly sensual visual world.
As a tribute to female eroticism, the project creates a protected space of intimacy and freedom in which women can explore and express their own fantasies. Since 2010, Schmidt has photographed anonymous women as well as professional models in cities including London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Paris, Berlin and New York.
Selected image sequences and motifs reveal the photographer’s distinctive visual style. The iconographic imagery unfolds a strong narrative density while leaving room for individual associations. Striking contrasts of light and shadow recall the tradition of film noir.
For the project, Schmidt collaborated with personalities such as Kristina Vogel and Viktoria Modesta, whose perspectives also touch on questions of inclusion and personal freedom. In this way, Schmidt connects his artistic work with his own life story and the stories of the people he works with.