Julia Werhahn

The artspring festival is an invitation to enter into contact and dialog with one another. In times when fronts are hardening and pluralism is turning into anger and violence, we use the power of images to communicate on a personal level. As global citizens, we do not want to be driven apart. This year's festival theme SHOW YOUR WOUND goes back to the Beuys installation “Show Your Wound”, in which the artist not only addresses his own vulnerability, but also that of society.

ZEIGE DEINE W_NDE: In the German language, the words “Wunde”, “Wende” and “Wände” differ in only one letter. For us, the terms are good mirrors of the present. The vulnerability of individuals has become political collateral damage that is generally accepted. “Show your wound” is an invitation to make personal horror visible. What changes of direction and turning points, perhaps even revolutions, have shaped life “Show your turn”, your maneuver on the high seas. “Show your walls” describes the boundaries within which we move. Read together, it paints a picture of the circumstances in which we live.

SHOW YOUR WALLS means showing what is. How do artists deal with their “walls” and “wounds”? It's about the wall in the studio, the walls that surround us or are in our heads, wounds on the body and soul, boundaries and passages that need to be overcome or crossed, either personally or as part of society. At the same time, we see the title as a call to resist everyday crises and to break free from our own immobility and rigidity. It is very important to us to create opportunities for communication with the artspring festival and its program. In a world that threatens to break apart, in times when mental and real walls are being erected, art can only be helpful if it overcomes boundaries.

Freedom and human rights, democracy and the rule of law are our guiding principles and we actively oppose discriminatory, derogatory and exclusionary behavior. We resolutely oppose all forms of terror and hatred, extremism and racism and advocate a peaceful world based on solidarity. We are convinced that the global language of art can decisively counter the increasing violence.

Introduced in summer 2016 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Kunsthaus Kaufbeuren, the sixth exhibition of this format will take place in summer 2024 under the now established title BLICK FANG. Works by young, up-and-coming artists from all over Germany will be shown every two years.

Today, the term "Heimat" (homeland) is used in a downright inflationary manner; at the same time, there are bitter disputes over the authority to define it, often along sharp ideological lines. But what does it actually mean when we talk about "homeland"? For some, "homeland" refers to their origins, roots and cultural identity. For others, the term is more of an abstract concept that is ambiguous, changeable and difficult to define. - In the course of globalization and not least due to numerous migration movements, a territorial understanding is increasingly leading to controversy and social tensions. Above all, aspects of culture, religion, values and customs, but also personal feelings within a society are important factors and driving forces here. However, despite all the differences, the quest for security and belonging is always a unifying driving force in the "search for home".
The artists - "BLICK FANG 2024"

Boglárka Balassa | Alex Bex | Florence Bühr | Susanne Bürner | Thesea Rigou Efstathopoulos | Mirjam Elburn | Gregor EsKa | Valerie Funk | Benedikt Gahl | Julius Gödtel | Ulrike Hannemann | Marlet Heckhoff | Markus Hoffmann | Markus Mars Hoffmann | Iska Jehl | Nari Jo | Mariella Kerscher | Lars Klingenberg | Thomas Kober | Martin Löw | Sol Namgung | Jana Sophia Nolle | Celine O'Neal | Jennifer Oellerich | Ivanka Penjak | Anne Pruy | Jens Rausch | Laura Schmelzer | Tom Schmelzer | Alina Schweizer | Mor Shauli | Julia Smirnova | Sarah Straßmann | Sven Weber | Stefan Wehmeier | Manfred Wendel | Julia Werhahn | Denise Winter

This exhibition marks the beginning of our exploration of the intricate dynamics and dialogues surrounding these topics. Berlin, with 830,000 foreign residents from 170 nations, is a cosmopolitan city that highlights the importance of addressing and reflecting on our understanding of concepts like home and the feeling of belonging.

The exhibition delves into De-Construction, probing where we stand and why. It is important to us to unpack these complexities through a people-centered approach, exploring questions like ‘Am I enough?,’ and, ‘Am I seen?’ from various perspectives gathered through our open call, sparking engaging dialogue.

Artists:

• Steffen Blunk

• Tatiana Bulanova

• Seweryn Jański

• Olga Mos

• Igor Ponosov

• Joanna Rusinek

• Raimund Schucht

• Foteini Tatsi

• Jingwen Yao

• Julia Werhahn

ArtArtist is an extraordinary art show in the former Tech Center of ZF Friedrichshafen AG in Düsseldorf - Oberkassel.

Parallel to Art Düsseldorf, only artist groups, off-spaces, art spaces, new and young formats and studio communities are presented in order to demonstrate and multiply the relevance and reach of networks for professional artists.