Universum Dresden

The cameraman, director, and collector Ernst Hirsch has shaped the visual memory of the city of Dresden like almost no one else. Born in Dresden in 1936 and raised near Pirnaischer Platz, he cherished his memories of old Dresden, especially after the city’s destruction Over more than seven decades, Ernst Hirsch amassed a unique treasure trove of documentary films, starting with amateur and promotional films from the 1920s and 1930s and later including newsreels and documentaries that he shot himself from 1952.

As a former apprentice at the Dresden-based camera manufacturer Zeiss Ikon, Hirsch always had a passion for film technology. Both during his time at the amateur film club and later as a professional cameraman, he strove to keep pace with technological developments, acquiring newer and more powerful film cameras whenever the opportunity arose. But he was also fascinated by historical inventions in Dresden at the dawn of the film era and added them to his ever-growing technical collection. For this exhibition, Ernst Hirsch has retold the stories behind his cameras and his most important film discoveries.

In 2024, the SLUB Dresden and the Technische Sammlungen Dresden were able to take over these valuable collections on behalf of the public. A selection of these treasures is on display as part of this special exhibition, dedicated to Ernst Hirsch’s lifework to mark his 90th birthday.