Klaus Staeck. Sand for the Gears
Germany
Essen
2018
55
Why should you watch this?
Klaus Staeck’s exhibition resonates deeply with contemporary audiences, serving as a powerful reminder of art’s capacity to provoke thought and inspire social change. In an age marked by political polarization and social unrest, Staeck’s nearly 180 posters challenge us to confront uncomfortable truths and reflect on the role of dissent in shaping public discourse. His bold, often scandalous imagery speaks to the importance of artists as catalysts for conversation, urging society to engage with pressing issues such as inequality, identity, and civic responsibility. As we navigate our own crises today, Staeck’s work underscores the timeless relevance of art as a tool for advocacy and a vehicle for sparking new dialogues. This exhibition not only honors a pivotal figure in art history but also invites us to consider how we, too, can use creativity to effect change in our communities.
Victoria Lomasko. Other Russias
Switzerland
Basel
2019
41
Victoria Lomasko’s retrospective at Cartoonmuseum Basel invites viewers to engage deeply with her explorations of Russia’s marginalized communities. This vibrant exhibition showcases her striking murals and drawings, which intricately depict the lives of LGBT activists, sex workers, and migrant laborers. Through her keen observations and bold, expressive style, Lomasko highlights the social injustices and political repression faced by these groups.
Why should you watch this?
Victoria Lomasko’s retrospective at Cartoonmuseum Basel resonates profoundly with today’s global landscape of social justice and human rights. As she illuminates the lives of Russia’s marginalized communities, her work serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by those often overlooked in society. In a world increasingly confronted with issues of inequality, discrimination, and political repression, Lomasko’s murals and drawings act as both a testament to resilience and a call for advocacy. By capturing the essence of these lived experiences she invites audiences to reflect on the shared responsibility we hold in addressing injustices, igniting conversations that transcend borders. The exhibition serves as both a visual narrative and a call to action, reflecting her long-standing commitment to human rights advocacy. This exhibition underscores the enduring relevance of her work in fostering empathy and inspiring change in our contemporary era.
BIG D@T@! BIG MON€Y!
Germany
Leipzig
2020
55
BIG D@T@! BIG MON€Y! is a bold, thought-provoking exhibition that explores the intersection of data, finance, and digitalization. Featuring seven artists and collectives, the works explore how our everyday digital footprints and the rise of cryptocurrencies are reshaping economies, identities, and power structures. Through projects like a speculative trading AI, a data-driven remake of classic art, and an analysis of the hidden infrastructure behind Amazon transactions, the exhibition sheds light on the often-invisible forces governing our digital lives. In an era of increasing surveillance and technological control, the exhibition raises critical questions about freedom, privacy, and the future of society.
Why should you watch this?
When I see the future, I close my eyes: Chapter II
Germany
Berlin
2023
45
In When I see the future, I close my eyes: Chapter II, Heba Y. Amin critically explores the intersection of colonialism, technology, and modern warfare, drawing attention to the lingering effects of these forces on contemporary society. Through installations, photography, and reconstructions, Amin revisits historical moments, such as early colonial photography and WWII landmines in Egypt, to highlight how visual and technological tools have been used to exert control and perpetuate violence. The exhibition asks us to reflect on how these past dynamics continue to shape narratives of power and oppression, urging us to confront the neocolonial tendencies of today’s technologies.
Why should you watch this?
CLUBS of the FUTURE.
Common Spaces in Transitional Societies
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/
Why should you watch this?
GASTEV. How to Work
Russia
Moscow
2019
66
The exhibition GASTEV. How to Work examines the profound influence of Alexey Gastev, a key figure in Soviet thought and the founder of the Central Institute of Labor (CIT). Gastev’s work in the 1920s and 1930s revolutionized labor practices through his development of scientific labor organization (NOT), blending Marxist ideology with avant-garde approaches to efficiency, biomechanics, and human-machine interaction. His theories sought to transform workers into precise, efficient elements of industrial production, reflecting the broader Soviet utopian vision of reshaping society through labor. The exhibition contextualizes Gastev’s role not just as an organizer but as a visionary whose ideas on human potential and mechanization resonate with contemporary discussions on automation and the future of work. Despite his execution during the Stalin’s Great Purge/Terror, Gastev’s legacy continues to provoke thought on the relationship between labor, politics, and the shaping of the modern human.
More at http://avantgarde.center/gastev (in Russian only)
Why should you watch this?
Notes from the Underground. Art and Alternative Music in Eastern Europe 1968-1994
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.
Why should you watch this?
In a time where freedom of expression remains a contested issue, Notes from the Underground. Art and Alternative Music in Eastern Europe 1968–1994 draws vital parallels between past and present struggles against authoritarianism. By showcasing how rock, punk, and new wave music intertwined with visual arts to resist state control, the exhibition highlights the subversive power of creativity. From DIY instruments to Samizdat magazines, it captures the spirit of rebellion and improvisation that thrived under repressive regimes, making it a timely exploration of art’s role in confronting oppression and fueling collective resistance.
Raqs Media Collective. Everything Else is Ordinary
Germany
Dusseldorf
2018
97
Why should you watch this?
The Raqs Media Collective’s exploration of time as a force shaping human experience offers a profound critique of how society functions under capitalism. Their works challenge traditional notions of time, revealing its role in regulating life and framing historical narratives. By dismantling these fixed interpretations, they invite audiences to rethink the ways time is measured, experienced, and manipulated. In doing so, their practice merges art, history, and philosophy, making their work a compelling reflection on the rhythms that shape our individual and collective existence.
Katrin Nenasheva. Between Here and There: Stories of City Isolations
Russia
Moscow
2017
50
Between Here and There: Stories of Urban Isolation is an exhibition by Katrin Nenasheva that explores the lives of individuals permanently isolated in psychiatric institutions. In her performance, Nenasheva traversed city streets wearing virtual reality glasses displaying panoramic images from these institutions, highlighting the barriers that separate their world from ours. She engaged with the public in various locations, including the subway and Red Square, inviting them to experience her perspective and share the motivations behind her work. The exhibition presents documentation of her journey, allowing visitors to engage with virtual reality themselves, fostering a dialogue between “here” and “there.” This immersive experience encourages reflection on societal isolation and connection.
Why should you watch this?
Katrin Nenasheva’s exhibition Between Here and There: Stories of Urban Isolation offers a profound exploration of the often-overlooked lives of individuals in psychiatric institutions. By donning virtual reality glasses that display panoramic views of these spaces, Nenasheva creates a striking connection between the isolated and the public, inviting visitors to step into her shoes as she navigates familiar urban landscapes. This immersive performance, paired with documentation of her interactions in locations like the subway and Red Square, blurs the lines between separation and engagement. Through this unique experience, attendees are encouraged to confront their perceptions of mental health, societal isolation, and human connection, prompting vital conversations about empathy and understanding in our communities.