In celebration of the centenary of the Leica I, the Leica Gallery Madrid is proud to present “In Conversation: A Photographic Dialogue Between Ara Güler and Lys Arango". 100 years of Leica photography have produced a host of outstanding photographic moments, which now take centre stage in the growing network of 29 Leica Galleries. As mediators of culture, art and knowledge, the galleries have taken on significant social responsibility. In the process, they are striking a balance between presenting contemporary photography and showcasing the great icons of yesteryear. On the occasion of this centenary, Leica is celebrating this heritage with a special concept that fosters a conversation between photography of the past and present. An exhibition will open in a selected Leica Gallery every month, linking a contemporary talent with one of the Leica Hall of Fame winners. The end result will be twelve captivating pairs whose works complement one another, reference each other and spark inspiration for all. 

The work of Lys Arango (Madrid, 1988) focuses on social and humanitarian issues. She has developed long-term projects combining photography, text and sound. In 2023, she joined Agence VU' and received a grant from the National Geographic Society for her project "The River Ran Black", which we present in this exhibition and which explores the energy transition in Asturias. Arango's work seeks to raise awareness and promote social change through an engaged visual narrative. Leica has recently announced the integration of the Leica Woman Project into the Leica Oscar Barnack Award (LOBA) as a third and important category to underscores the essential commitment to providing visibility and support for emerging female talents in photography.

The photographic conversation that unfolds here links two photographic visions that, from disparate historical and geopolitical contexts, converge in a critical exploration of social fractures. Both photographers construct an anthropological testimony of communities traversed by precariousness, displacement and the transformation forced by progress. Güler captures the erosion of the urban and human fabric under modernisation, while Arango documents structural vulnerability in contexts of global crisis. 

The result is an exhibition that is both thoughtful and evocatively beautiful, offering a unique photographic dialogue.

This exhibition has been curated by Matías Costa and can be visited at Leica Gallery Madrid from 20 March to 17 May 2025.