Arts | Culture | History | Music | Philosophy | Society & Politics | Technology
18+

Actually, the Dead Are Not Dead. Una forma de ser | Introduction

Actually, the Dead Are Not Dead. Una forma de ser
Germany Stuttgart 2020

The exhibition explores the interplay between celebration and political expression, rooted in the context of marginalized communities. Drawing inspiration from the Bergen Assembly 2019, this exhibition examines how festivities serve as platforms for social emancipation and self-determination, particularly within the Rom*nja, Flamenco, and Bohemian cultures since the 19th century. By interweaving historical and contemporary works, the exhibition highlights the transformative power of communal gatherings, where joy, rebellion, and artistic innovation converge. The curators, Pedro G. Romero and María García Ruiz, delve into the complexities of identity politics, showcasing how these communities have shaped avant-garde movements while also confronting ongoing societal exclusion. In a time marked by social distancing and isolation, Una forma de ser invites visitors to reflect on the significance of togetherness, creativity, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Arts | Culture | History | Society & Politics
18+

CLUBS of the FUTURE. Common Spaces in Transitional Societies

CLUBS der ZUKUNFT. Gemeinsame Räume in Übergangsgesellschaften
Germany Berlin 2024 54

CLUBS of the FUTURE explores the legacy of communal spaces, particularly the Houses of Culture across Europe and the former GDR, as it reflects on contemporary practices of collectivity and reform. Emerging from research into the 1,800 GDR Houses of Culture—two-thirds of which were closed post-reunification—the project addresses the societal gaps exploited by right-wing groups. Featuring innovative workshop formats, the exhibition includes Ina Wudtke’s video Greif zur Feder (Grab a Pen), Andrea Pichl’s Klub Zukunft (Future Club), and Ming Wong’s KONTAKTHOPE. Highlighting future-oriented projects, it also showcases garden initiatives like Katya Gardea Browne’s A Floating Garden & Exchange of Seeds, emphasizing the ongoing negotiation of shared civic spaces in times of transition. More at https://www.clubsofthefuture.net/

Arts | Culture | History | Music | Society & Politics
18+

Notes from the Underground. Art and Alternative Music in Eastern Europe 1968-1994

Underground und Improvisation. Alternative Musik und Kunst nach 1968
Germany Berlin 2018 56

The exhibition Notes from the Underground. Art and Alternative Music in Eastern Europe 1968–1994 examines the intersection of underground music and visual arts under communist regimes in Eastern Europe. It highlights how rock, punk, and new wave music, alongside performance art, fashion, and film, became tools of countercultural expression against state control. In response to censorship and scarcity, artists and musicians created homemade instruments, produced Samizdat magazines, and distributed recordings. The exhibition underscores the role of improvisation and irony in resisting authoritarianism, with works from Poland, Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union, and Czechoslovakia, offering a new perspective on how art and music intertwined as forms of dissent.

Arts | Culture | Music
18+

Tobias Zielony. Maskirovka [Concealment]

Tobias Zielony. Maskirovka
Germany Berlin 2018 37
Tobias Zielony’s “Maskirovka” offers a striking exploration of Kyiv’s queer techno scene in the wake of the post-Maidan era, blending artistic expression with a profound commentary on societal resistance. This project reflects the duality of its title, capturing moments where identity is both concealed and celebrated amid an unstable political landscape. Through his evocative photographs and a dynamic animated film composed of 5,400 images, Zielony provides a lens into a vibrant, underground community that challenges nationalism and conventional norms. The interplay of nighttime revelry and the stark realities of conflict creates a vivid tapestry, inviting viewers to engage with the multi-faceted narratives of the individuals within, while questioning the representation of Ukraine within broader sociopolitical dialogues. In this nuanced portrayal, Zielony reveals the fragility and resilience of a generation caught between chaos and the pursuit of self-determination.