"On the difficulties of photographing a city," is how the first chapter of the book is titled. Unlike, for example, Cologne, where the Rhine riverbank with the Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge is firmly established as a postcard motif, Krefeld cannot boast a chocolate view that is recognizable at first glance. A lack that can prove to be an advantage: The absence of a central location, a historical center encourages one to direct attention to the variety of sights, letting the gaze wander into urban outskirts.
That is exactly what Florian Monheim does, and so one is astonished when flipping through his Krefeld homage to discover that the city on the left bank of the Lower Rhine, which always stands in the shadow of the nearby Düsseldorf, has excellent examples of architecture from several centuries to offer – and in abundance. Monheim is the right man to open our eyes. Although the photographer was born in Stuttgart (1963), he has lived in Krefeld since 2006, so he can be considered as integrated. This is even more true for Helge Drafz: The author, born in 1962, came into the world in Castrop-Rauxel, but has known Krefeld since his childhood.
Thus, the two are the ideal guides on a tour through the "City of Silk Weavers," as Krefeld is often called. In this architectural tour, the architectural heritage is brought into focus in chronological order: castles, mansions, and estates are documented just as much as architectural examples from industrialization and the founding epoch. Art Nouveau, Expressionism, and life reform find their expression – and of course the Bauhaus era, which has left remarkable traces in Krefeld. The Modern twin houses Haus Lange and Haus Esters, built from 1927 to 1930 as early works of the later world-renowned architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, are prominently featured and adorn the cover. But the post-war period and the present are not neglected either.
Florian Monheim's architectural photographs make you want to explore Krefeld on your own. Certainly, not all buildings look as attractive in person as the experienced photographer (he has published more than 40 picture books on architectural history) presents them. However, there is no doubt that a visit to the 'Architectural Museum Krefeld' is definitely a worthwhile excursion.
