PUBLIX Opening - laif foundation for independent photojournalism

With Publix, a new concrete place has emerged in Berlin where the future of journalism and the public sphere can be thought about, negotiated, tried out and communicated to citizens.

For the opening in summer 2024, artistic director Maria Exner and her team curated a programme together with the organizations in the building that gave experts and multipliers a first insight into the work of Publix.

At the invitation of the laif foundation, Danish documentary photographer Mads Nissen presented his photo reportage “SANGRE BLANCA – THE LOST WAR ON COCAINE” at the Opening Conference. In it, he delves into the dark depths of the cocaine trade and examines the human consequences of the drug’s journey from the neglected rural areas of Colombia to the greedy consumers on the dance floors of Europe.

His presentation was met with great interest: The relevance of the work is also illustrated by the many questions from the audience. Mads was also able to make valuable contacts with journalists in Berlin.

Mads Nissen on his work “The lost war on drugs”