The exhibition "MOVING INDIA: Torsten Andreas Hoffmann | Craig Semetko" offers two photographic perspectives on India: The two Leica photographers Torsten Andreas Hoffmann and Craig Semetko show us the uniqueness of a country that is often generalized due to its high population, existing poverty, social issues, and economic challenges in diverse ways. Both photographers focused on Mumbai, the sister city of Stuttgart. 

German photographer Torsten Andreas Hoffmann displays the diversity of Indian culture. His series "Architecture of the Poor" portrays the architecture of the largest slum, Dharavi, in the midst of the modern metropolis Mumbai in an observational and individual manner simultaneously. He combines architectural shots with residents captured in motion blur. In doing so, he presents the dichotomy of the metropolis Mumbai—from intricate corrugated roofs to ultra-modern skyscrapers, from an international megacity to traditional Indian ways of life. His long-exposure shots with a neutral density filter showcase the aesthetic variety and colorful daily life of this culture at key locations throughout the country, from the "Gate of India" in Mumbai to Varanasi as one of India's oldest cities and the Sacred Lake in Pushkar. In "Faces of India," he showcases individuals in poignant portraits in black and white. They are testimonies of his photographic excursions and personal encounters in a country that has fascinated and surprised him: "I marveled at the amount of confidence slum youths harbored despite a critical worldview." (Torsten Andreas Hoffmann) This confidence is evident in his photographs. Furthermore, Torsten Andreas Hoffmann sees photography as a means to raise awareness of issues and difficulties and to give voice to unseen individuals in society. 

American street photographer Craig Semetko finds the extraordinary in the everyday and captivates us with the humor and irony inherent in his photographs. In 2013, he spent several months in India, a destination that has always fascinated him. The serendipity of his stay also permeates his photography, with Craig Semetko capturing those moments with his camera. He showcases the openness of people, the simple life, and the intrinsic strength of daily life. With "India Unposed," he has created a series of timeless street photography that brings us closer to individuals in a positive light. Simultaneously, the photographs captivate with their visual tension, particularly accentuated in the black and white series. Nonetheless, a portion of the series was captured in color, which, for Craig Semetko, corresponds to the diversity of Indian culture and completes certain motifs. 

The exhibition "MOVING INDIA: Torsten Andreas Hoffmann | Craig Semetko" can be viewed from May 9 to July 12, 2025, at the Leica Gallery Stuttgart (Calwer Straße 41). The gallery is open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm and on Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission is free. The photographs are available for purchase.