From 28 April to 28 July 2013, the Cologne-based Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum will present pictures of the star photographer Albert Watson. In December 2011, he travelled to Benin on behalf of the Cotton made in Africa initiative to take pictures of cotton farmers and their living environment in the West African country.

The striking portraits by Albert Watson, well known for his legendary advertising and fashion photographs, give an insight into the world of the smallholders and transport a better awareness of CmiA's work. The initiative promotes the cultivation of sustainably produced cotton in Africa to improve the living conditions of 435.000 smallholder farmers currently active in the initiative.,.

The photographs illustrate the social objectives of the Cotton made in Africa initiative without using visual stereotypes of rural Africa. In order to obtain a reasonably complete picture of the people in Benin, Albert Watson, next to cotton fields, also visited traditional markets and a tribal king during his two-week journey to the West African country.

The exhibition is the result of a cooperation between Deichtorhallen Hamburg/ House of Photography and the Aid by Trade Foundation. The exhibition in Cologne has been initiated by DEG and Ernsting's family. OTTO and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) are further sponsors.