MEN WHO CUT ROSES": PHOTO BOOK ABOUT THE PUBLISHER MICHAEL KRÜGER (ndr)
/Ashbery and his fictional dog is mentioned in this NDR article published 11/12 about the publusher Michael Krüger, translated into English by Google Translate.
"Men who cut roses": photo book about the publisher Michael Krüger
As of: December 11, 2023 10:23 a.m
The photographer Isolde Ohlbaum captured many of the publisher Michael Krüger's encounters with famous authors in pictures. Their joint book combines these photographs with short literary portraits.
by Guido Pauling
With his flair for outstanding literature, long-time publisher Michael Krüger has made Hanser Verlag one of the most important publishing houses in Germany. And: He has also become a legendary figure himself; has made friends with famous authors. The photographer Isolde Ohlbaum was often there to capture these encounters. A newly published photo book now honors both.
Impressions from the photo book: “Men who cut roses”
Literature as a risk
An older gentleman stands on a ladder leaning against a brick and trims a rose bush. The gentleman, his corduroy trousers, the wooden ladder - it all looks a little shaky. But there is someone else on the ground; a much younger man who, luckily, could hold onto the ladder at any time.
The photo of Gregor von Rezzori cutting roses and Michael Krüger holding a white flower is not only on the cover of the illustrated book, but also gave it the title: "Men who cut roses." summarizes the relationship between the author and the editor and publisher in a snapshot. Literature as a risk, you can crash! And if you harvest a few flowers from among the thorns, a publisher will give the author a helping hand.
Isolde Ohlbaum's wonderfully natural photographs
Isolde Ohlbaum's portraits of authors are famous; she specialized in this professional group - or let's say: group of artists - early on. "Writer face researcher" Michael Krüger once called it. Many of her photographs feature the same publisher, who was present at readings, award ceremonies and book fairs. The number of interesting encounters Krüger had with writers is immense - and yet, he told NDR Kultur ten years ago, he definitely didn't want to write a volume of memories: "For me, encounters were often only very brief. I don't want to act like I spent all day with famous people. I usually sat here and did my work."
Isolde Ohlbaum's illustrated book is therefore the perfect solution to honor a highly profitable publishing life in wonderfully natural photographs. Krüger in a warm embrace with Jürgen Habermas. Krüger in conversation with Andrej Bitow in front of empty wine and beer glasses. Krüger in a bare room with António Lobo Antunes - the author thinking at a small square table, his interlocutor crouched, back to the wall, a coffee pot in his hands. Another symbolic image: the publisher as a waiter at the feet of the great writer.
He ran Hanser Verlag for decades. He was always an author and knew the inner world of the literary and cultural scenes.
Illuminating texts by Michael Krüger
Despite all of Krüger's rhetorical modesty, many meetings have turned into friendships. "Of course that applies to a lot of people, that now as an old man I suddenly realize: You should have been around him a little longer, he was good for you. "Why did we see so little of each other?" said Krüger. "I don't know if everyone feels that way, but for me it's like this: you have a head as big as a gallery, and everything should be present! And of course that also includes about a hundred friends with whom I have spent my life - but, in my opinion, I have spent too little."
The gallery is now - how could it be otherwise with Krüger - as a book on the table. And to Ohlbaum's always fantastic photographs, Krüger contributed a few lines, miniatures, short portraits that are sometimes hilarious to read, enlightening, pointed. For example about John Ashbery:
When you had dinner with this friendly poet in New York, he liked to order a large portion, but he would only eat half of it; the other half had to be packed away for the dog. He once explained to me that he wrote in a cubist style; I've been chewing on this for a long time.
Or about Arnold Stadler:
You rarely see him because he's always on the move, but if you meet him somewhere between two field stones, you can be sure that the world has gained a little more color afterwards.
Kruger here, Kruger there
Wonderful. Pleasant. A little vain then. Kruger here, Kruger there, Kruger there. But who hasn't he spoken to, known and read? A cross-section of the literary world - from a woman who remains unseen in the background and yet sees everything.