Photography, film, radio and television were new media in the 1960s. In order to be able to use them for self-presentation, artists needed particularly sensitive photographers. One of them was Lothar Wolleh (Berlin 1930–1979 London). Wolleh trained in photography, and in 1962 opened a studio in Düsseldorf. He initially made his name with advertisements.
Alfred Schmela’s Düsseldorf gallery, which had shown work by Lucio Fontana in 1960, was a centre of the young Rhineland art scene. Wolleh made contact with many artists here, for example to Joseph Beuys, Gotthard Graubner, Adolf Luther, Heinz Mack, Blinky Palermo, Jan Schoonhoven and Günther Uecker. With portraits of artists, artist books and editions, Wolleh produced an extensive oeuvre of fine-art photography alongside his contract work.
Lucio Fontana was one of the first artists Wolleh portrayed, in 1963. A close friendship developed. Wolleh visited Fontana in Milan 13 times in all. In 1966–67 they conceived an object edition together, a cassette to which they each contributed four elements.
