TIME FOR OUTRAGE! Art in Times of Social Anger | Discrimination

TIME FOR OUTRAGE! Art in Times of Social Anger | Discrimination

Can anger and rage be justified in a world riddled with oppression and inequality? Are these emotions destructive forces or vital catalysts for social change? As democracy faces crises and populism gains ground globally, these questions have sparked renewed debate. Contemporary artists have responded, using their work to navigate and challenge the pressing issues of our time.

The exhibition ‘Time for Outrage!’ in Düsseldorf explores these questions through six thematic blocks: Right-wing Shift, Trumpism, Protest, Postcolonialism, Feminism, and Discrimination. Across a diverse range of mediums — including installations, drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, and video art — 40 international artists immerse viewers in the visceral realms of protest, social dissent, and public anger. The exhibition doesn’t just present anger as a raw emotion; it portrays it as a vehicle for dialogue, resistance, and empowerment in the face of systemic injustice.

A substantial portion of the works on display come from the collection of entrepreneur and collector Florian Peters-Messer, whose commitment to socially engaged art amplifies the urgent messages these pieces convey.

Why should you watch this?

As political polarization, social inequality, and widespread protests dominate global headlines, the exhibition sheds light on the emotional and political power of anger as a response to injustice. The tour offers nuanced insights into how contemporary artists interpret and challenge societal issues like fake news, racial violence, and the erosion of democratic values. By exploring the different artistic expressions of outrage, viewers gain a richer understanding of how these works speak to our current moment, making the exhibition incredibly relevant as we navigate a world increasingly defined by conflict and resistance.
Victoria Lomasko. Other Russias

Victoria Lomasko. Other Russias

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.

TIME FOR OUTRAGE! Art in Times of Social Anger | Right-wing Shift

TIME FOR OUTRAGE! Art in Times of Social Anger | Right-wing Shift

Can anger and rage be justified in a world riddled with oppression and inequality? Are these emotions destructive forces or vital catalysts for social change? As democracy faces crises and populism gains ground globally, these questions have sparked renewed debate. Contemporary artists have responded, using their work to navigate and challenge the pressing issues of our time.

The exhibition ‘Time for Outrage!’ in Düsseldorf explores these questions through six thematic blocks: Right-wing Shift, Trumpism, Protest, Postcolonialism, Feminism, and Discrimination. Across a diverse range of mediums — including installations, drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, and video art — 40 international artists immerse viewers in the visceral realms of protest, social dissent, and public anger. The exhibition doesn’t just present anger as a raw emotion; it portrays it as a vehicle for dialogue, resistance, and empowerment in the face of systemic injustice.

A substantial portion of the works on display come from the collection of entrepreneur and collector Florian Peters-Messer, whose commitment to socially engaged art amplifies the urgent messages these pieces convey.

Why should you watch this?

As political polarization, social inequality, and widespread protests dominate global headlines, the exhibition sheds light on the emotional and political power of anger as a response to injustice. The tour offers nuanced insights into how contemporary artists interpret and challenge societal issues like fake news, racial violence, and the erosion of democratic values. By exploring the different artistic expressions of outrage, viewers gain a richer understanding of how these works speak to our current moment, making the exhibition incredibly relevant as we navigate a world increasingly defined by conflict and resistance.
TIME FOR OUTRAGE! Art in Times of Social Anger | Introduction

TIME FOR OUTRAGE! Art in Times of Social Anger | Introduction

Can anger and rage be justified in a world riddled with oppression and inequality? Are these emotions destructive forces or vital catalysts for social change? As democracy faces crises and populism gains ground globally, these questions have sparked renewed debate. Contemporary artists have responded, using their work to navigate and challenge the pressing issues of our time.

The exhibition ‘Time for Outrage!’ in Düsseldorf explores these questions through six thematic blocks: Right-wing Shift, Trumpism, Protest, Postcolonialism, Feminism, and Discrimination. Across a diverse range of mediums — including installations, drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, and video art — 40 international artists immerse viewers in the visceral realms of protest, social dissent, and public anger. The exhibition doesn’t just present anger as a raw emotion; it portrays it as a vehicle for dialogue, resistance, and empowerment in the face of systemic injustice.

A substantial portion of the works on display come from the collection of entrepreneur and collector Florian Peters-Messer, whose commitment to socially engaged art amplifies the urgent messages these pieces convey.

Why should you watch this?

As political polarization, social inequality, and widespread protests dominate global headlines, the exhibition sheds light on the emotional and political power of anger as a response to injustice. The tour offers nuanced insights into how contemporary artists interpret and challenge societal issues like fake news, racial violence, and the erosion of democratic values. By exploring the different artistic expressions of outrage, viewers gain a richer understanding of how these works speak to our current moment, making the exhibition incredibly relevant as we navigate a world increasingly defined by conflict and resistance.
Sergiy Bratkov. My Brother’s Cats | Curatorial Introduction with Annegret Laabs

Sergiy Bratkov. My Brother’s Cats | Curatorial Introduction with Annegret Laabs

Sergiy Bratkov (b. 1960) is renowned for his radically unsettling and striking photographs that, beneath their vivid surface, present an unflinching report on societal conditions. Like other members of the “Kharkiv School of Photography,” his work over the past 30 years has focused on social photography. In spring 2022, the Ukrainian artist, who had been living in Moscow since 2004, emigrated to Berlin. His recent work, previously centered on outdated Soviet-era clichés and the brash new capitalism of post-Soviet Ukraine, has now been sharply refocused by the brutal realities of the ongoing war.

In this exhibition, Bratkov presents new cycles of images and videos created since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The once ironic observer has transformed into a reflective analyst, confronting the horrors of war in his former homeland. His new works grapple with this trauma while resisting the pull of hopelessness.

Why should you watch this?

Sergiy Bratkov’s latest exhibition captures a profound shift in his artistic practice, where irony gives way to a sobering confrontation with the brutal realities of war. Renowned for his socially charged photography rooted in the “Kharkiv School,” Bratkov’s new works — created after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — delve into the trauma of conflict in his homeland. Emigrating to Berlin in 2022, his vivid and unsettling images, once focused on Soviet clichés and post-Soviet capitalism, now engage deeply with the devastation of war, transforming him from a detached observer to a reflective witness of historical tragedy.
Sergiy Bratkov. My Brother’s Cats | Immersive Artist Tour

Sergiy Bratkov. My Brother’s Cats | Immersive Artist Tour

Sergiy Bratkov (b. 1960) is renowned for his radically unsettling and striking photographs that, beneath their vivid surface, present an unflinching report on societal conditions. Like other members of the “Kharkiv School of Photography,” his work over the past 30 years has focused on social photography. In spring 2022, the Ukrainian artist, who had been living in Moscow since 2004, emigrated to Berlin. His recent work, previously centered on outdated Soviet-era clichés and the brash new capitalism of post-Soviet Ukraine, has now been sharply refocused by the brutal realities of the ongoing war.

In this exhibition, Bratkov presents new cycles of images and videos created since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The once ironic observer has transformed into a reflective analyst, confronting the horrors of war in his former homeland. His new works grapple with this trauma while resisting the pull of hopelessness.

Why should you watch this?

Sergiy Bratkov’s latest exhibition captures a profound shift in his artistic practice, where irony gives way to a sobering confrontation with the brutal realities of war. Renowned for his socially charged photography rooted in the “Kharkiv School,” Bratkov’s new works — created after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — delve into the trauma of conflict in his homeland. Emigrating to Berlin in 2022, his vivid and unsettling images, once focused on Soviet clichés and post-Soviet capitalism, now engage deeply with the devastation of war, transforming him from a detached observer to a reflective witness of historical tragedy.
CLUBS of the FUTURE. Common Spaces in Transitional Societies

CLUBS of the FUTURE. Common Spaces in Transitional Societies

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?

CLUBS of the FUTURE is a compelling exhibition that explores the significance of communal spaces and collective practices, particularly in light of the legacy of the GDR’s Houses of Culture. By addressing the societal gaps left by their closure, the project invites reflection on how shared spaces can foster collaboration and social cohesion in a time of increasing individualism. With diverse artistic practices, including innovative workshops, installations, and performances, the exhibition engages with contemporary issues such as the rise of right-wing extremism and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It highlights community-centric projects that inspire collective action and offers a hopeful vision for sustainable, inclusive futures through art.
GASTEV. How to Work

GASTEV. How to Work

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?

This exhibition’ topic is especially relevant now because it connects Gastev’s groundbreaking theories on labor and mechanization to current debates about automation, AI, and the future of work. As industries rapidly evolve, Gastev’s vision of optimizing human potential through scientific organization offers critical insights into the challenges we face today. The show raises urgent questions about how labor is being transformed, the role of technology, and the balance between human and machine — a timely reflection in an era where these issues impact our daily lives more than ever.
If our soup can could speak: Mikhail Lifshitz and the Soviet Sixties

If our soup can could speak: Mikhail Lifshitz and the Soviet Sixties

The exhibition is dedicated to one of the most enigmatic, mysterious, and controversial philosophers of the USSR and his famous anthology of polemical texts, The Crisis of Ugliness, which criticizes the art of the 20th century. The retrospective showcases never presented before archive documents, Lifshitz’s texts, and artworks in ten interiors, each representing a milestone in the development of modernism or Lifshitz’s thought: 10 rooms – 10 stages of Soviet history – 10 knots in Lifshitz’s biography. The project is the first large-scale analysis attempt of the tense relationship between so-called progressive art and politics in the XX-XXI century.

Why should you watch this?

This exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in the deep connections between art, politics, and society. Lifshitz’s The Crisis of Ugliness offers a rare Soviet critique of modernism, challenging Cubism and Pop Art in ways that still resonate today. The exhibition’s exploration of these ideas through archival materials, artworks, and Lifshitz’s own writings sheds light on the complex relationship between avant-garde art and political ideology. In a time of global crisis, Lifshitz’s critiques are more relevant than ever, inviting viewers to reconsider the role of art in shaping social consciousness.