Incoming fellow Muriel Willi to investigate historic Swiss photography exhibition

Muriel Willi, originally from Lucerne, Switzerland, is a doctoral Art History student in Avendres, Switzerland.

She received a 2016-2017 research fellowship from the Ransom Center to support her dissertation research on the 1952 World Exhibition of Photography.

 

Tell us about your research:

My doctoral thesis’ objective is to discuss the political, tourism, and aesthetic aspects of the World Exhibition of Photography that took place in 1952 in Lucerne, Switzerland. The historic part of this exhibition was essentially organized by Helmut Gernsheim, one of the most important photo historians of that time. Access to the Helmut Gernsheim collection will be very helpful in reconstructing the planning, constitution, context of this historic section. In addition, I will explore the collaboration between Gernsheim and other photo historians, and Gernsheim’s endeavors to found a photographic museum in Switzerland.

 

Which collections at the Ransom Center are most relevant to your research?

The photography collection, specifically the Gernsheim collection.

 

Outside of your primary research interest, are there other collections at the Ransom Center that you hope to see?

As a photography enthusiast, I’m interested in all the photography holdings.

 

Beyond researching, what is at the top of your must-see/do list while in Austin?

As an equestrian, I’d like to visit a ranch in Texas to take a ride.