Photographer Piet Niemann (b. 1991) re-visited the EXPO-site and documented the current state in a comprehensive body of work, 20 years after the world fair took place. Sustainability and the successful development of the exhibition site into a “city of the future” are often promised by politicians – similar to the Olympics. But is this actually the case? Twenty years later, it is interesting to find out what has remained and been delivered from these often full-bodied promises — or not. Piet Niemann has planned to make a photographic observation of all EXPO sites, twenty years after the world expositions have taken place. Thus, the declared goal is a documentary work that grows steadily, enabling a reflective view of the past and ideally initiates reflections on responsible action in the future.

Piet Niemann (*1991, Germany) is primarily an Architectural Photographer, working inter alia for clients like Zaha Hadid Architects or Delugan Meissl Associated Architects. Apart from his architectural work, he has always been photographing long-term personal projects, focusing on societal topics. His personal series of works are characterised by a distanced, sober observation. His work has been exhibited at Venice Architecture Biennale 2018, SARP Pavilion Warsaw, Roca London Gallery, and others. He lives with his wife and two children in northern Germany.