The exhibition to be explores the fundamentals of human existence. It centers on the sole task that life imposes of its own accord: to be. Fulfilling this task is, in principle, simple, which is the reason for the ecological diversity on our planet. Thus, life dictates neither aesthetics nor morality, often not even function: whatever manages to exist is allowed. As humans, we constantly place demands on ourselves and others that go far beyond a beating heart. Whether beauty or social status, we set ourselves tasks whose fulfillment quickly dictates the rhythm of our lives. At the same time, we are witnessing how the task of mere existence is becoming increasingly difficult. Thus, it is not only a matter of overcoming the already existing dangers of climate change, but also of recognizing and averting emerging threats from destructive ideologies and technologies. One struggle follows another; there is so much to do. And so our to-do list is filled with tasks that can no longer be prioritized, because everything is urgent. What remains is an inner struggle between the constant feeling of being driven and the overwhelm in the face of the ever-growing list. A child sleeps peacefully on the sofa; the hairclip that held everything together throughout the day has been set aside. Whether nestled between red cliffs or lying in a meadow, the protagonists of the group exhibition to be pause—not in the midst of an event, but in the space in between. To be invites us to leave all obligations—whether imposed by others or self-imposed—at the door and to let our inner struggles rest. To let oneself be guided by the gentle visual worlds somewhere between active and passive existence, making room for new ideas. Here is space for a temporary utopia where there is nothing to plan, a space where everything is all right, a moment of groundless bliss, a reminder of what makes it worth persevering. The eleven artistic positions engage with the fundamentals of life, whose power Nina Simone already sang about in her protest song I Got Life: In it, she lists what she lacks and returns in the chorus to the realization that she has everything she needs: life. This idea can help free us from constraints and domination. The appreciation of one’s own being is the prerequisite for any revolution.
with works by
KATER D, LUNITA-JULY DORN, SOPHIE HEUKEMES, NELLIE JONSSON, DORIS KOLPA, GABRIELE MÜNTER, JULIE PETER, FLOOR SABELIS, EMMA SARPANIEMI, MALWINE STAUSS, LARA WEILER
curated by LENA RHEINBAY
text: Mie Volke