Pia Zanetti, born in Basel in 1943, made a name for herself with her insightful photo stories. Her great perseverance led her to excel in a field that had previously been dominated by men. Starting in the 1960s, she travelled extensively on behalf of publications such as Die Woche, Das Magazin, Du or NZZ, first in Europe and later all around the world. It was always the common people on the street, at work, at football stadiums, playing outside or lost in thought that caught her discerning eye. Unobtrusive, empathetic, critical and precise, she captured dramas big and small that unfold in day-to-day life – also on numerous trips on behalf of NGOs, whose work she accompanied with her reports. Pia Zanetti documented solidarity and resistance against injustice, but she also tirelessly sought out those happy moments in which dreams seem to become reality.

For the first comprehensive exhibition of her work, the photographer has brought to light photographs from her extensive archive that are more than documents – memorable images that succeed in wresting a piece of poetry from everyday events and chance encounters with people.