Press Release | Gütersloh, 09/27/2016

Bertelsmann and Lightpower Collection Show Photographic Portraits of Rock’n’Roll Legends at Gütersloh Theater

• 70 iconic works by music photographer Neal Preston on view from October 27 to November 27, 2016
• Supporting program includes reading, photography workshop and musical evening with young bands from the region

The media company Bertelsmann, the Lightpower Collection, and Kultur Räume Gütersloh present 70 impressive photographic portraits of Rock’n’Roll greats including Led Zeppelin, Queen, Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen at the Gütersloh Theater from late October. The color and black-and-white photographs by world-renowned music photographer Neal Preston  were taken over the course of 40 years. During this time Preston began to capture the joys and pains of the lives of musicians on and off stage. The “Neal Preston – In the Eye of the Hurricane Rock’n’Roll” exhibition  has already been enthusiastically received by visitors at the Montreux Jazz Festival, in Las Vegas, Stockholm and at the Musikmesse Frankfurt fair; now, from October 27 to November 27, 2016, it comes to Gütersloh.

Neal Preston has created photographic portraits of many legendary musicians and bands: Carlos Santana, Alice Cooper, Bob Marley, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, Deep Purple, Roger Waters, Janis Joplin, Prince, Madonna and Frank Zappa. His pictures are among the most important works of Rock’n’Roll photography, and arguably form the most extensive oeuvre in rock history.

Bertelsmann Chairman and CEO Thomas Rabe said: “For Bertelsmann, music is not only a core business, but also a part of our corporate identity. The music  rights of many of the artists portrayed by Neal Preston are managed by our music subsidiary BMG, including the most important works of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, of Pink Floyd songwriter Roger Waters, of Iggy Pop and David Bowie. So it makes perfect sense for us to support such an outstanding exhibition of work in our company’s hometown Gütersloh.”

The exhibition offers a multimedia experience: beyond the stories behind the pictures, which can be heard on headphones, there are film clips featuring commentaries by Neal Preston and his contemporaries. Memorabilia from his career are also on display. Neal Preston’s fine art prints are highly sought after by collectors worldwide. All proceeds from Lightpower Collection sales will go to an industry foundation that provides relief for event technicians in need.

The partners Bertelsmann, Lightpower Collection and Kultur Räume Gütersloh are hosting a private viewing on October 26, 2016 at Gütersloh Theater. Guests will witness a panel discussion featuring Neal Preston and Fred Casimir, BMG  Executive Vice President Continental Europe, who will talk about their many years of experience in the music business. The “Neal Preston – In the Eye of the Hurricane Rock’n’Roll” exhibition opens to the public for one month starting Oct 27. It is open daily from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; admission is free.

“We are pleased that Kultur Räume with its wide range of possibilities can provide the ideal space for such an exhibition in conjunction with the accompanying events,” commented Andreas Kimpel, Head of the City Gütersloh’s Cultural Facilities and Cultural Affairs. “Gütersloh Theater is the perfect stage for showcasing Neal Preston’s fine art prints.”

The supporting program for the exhibition includes an evening with Neal Preston on October 29, 2016 entitled “Behind the Pictures,” in which he speaks about his photos and how they came about. On November 19, 2016 this is followed by an evening with the actor Benno Fürmann who reads the works of journalist Hunter S. Thompson – an icon of the hippie movement and the founder of “gonzo” journalism. On November 23, 2016, the “Shooting Shows” workshop teaches the basics of concert photography, and that evening, young bands from the region will perform on Gütersloh Theater’s studio stage at the “create music” event.

„Neal Preston – In the Eye of the Rock’n’Roll Hurricane”
October 27 - November 27, 2016
An exhibition of extraordinary photographs
at the Theater Gütersloh
Barkeystrasse 15
33330 Gütersloh
www.theater-gt.de

Open daily from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and during events at the Theater Gütersloh;
Admission is free
For more information: http://www.lightpower-collection.com/ 

About Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company that operates in about 50 countries around the world. It includes the broadcaster RTL Group, the trade book publisher Penguin Random House, the magazine publisher Gruner + Jahr, the music company BMG, the service provider Arvato, the Bertelsmann Printing Group, the Bertelsmann Education Group, and Bertelsmann Investments, an international network of funds. The company has 117,000 employees and generated revenues of €17.1 billion in the 2015 financial year. Bertelsmann stands for creativity and entrepreneurship. This combination promotes first-class media content and innovative service solutions that inspire customers around the world.

About the Lightpower Collection
Lightpower was founded in 1978 in Paderborn as a lighting rental company. Since then the company has grown to be an internationally leading distributor for stage lighting equipment. The Lightpower Collection has evolved out of this company’s culture that has grown over 38 years. The collection of music photography is based on the origins of Rock’n’Roll which has influenced significantly today’s and future music and concert culture. Legendary album covers, views behind the scenes, moments that made history – the Lightpower Collection honors and celebrates those legends in the limelight – while returning something to those who work hard in the background to make all this happen. All income from the sales of fine art prints and books is being donated to the charity “Behind the Scenes”.

About Kultur Räume Gütersloh
Kultur Räume (Cultural Spaces) Gütersloh combines the City Hall and the directly adjacent theater under one strong brand. Both buildings not only offer a varied cultural program, but also numerous venues for events of any kind. The wide range of cultural spaces on offer enables ever new combinations for compelling event concepts. An experienced and competent team, along with state-of-the-art technology, ensure perfect implementation and unforgettable experiences. Whether cultural events or conventions and conferences, tradeshows, exhibitions or celebrations – from planning to implementation, Kultur Räume Gütersloh offers one-stop, customized solutions.