25 October 2023

"What drives us: Energy and energeia between politics and poetics": The Akademie der Künste addresses the subject of energy in art, science and politics

Readings, music, symposium, film screenings
22–24 November 2023, Akademie der Künste, Pariser Platz

The term “energy” is a buzzword of our times that taps into a broad range of associations and discourse in the sciences, politics, art and culture. Those who control energy resources have power. Wars are fought in the name of energy. At the same time, our energy needs threaten to undermine our current standards of living.
From 22 to 24 November 2023, the Akademie der Künste is addressing the pressing issues raised by the term. The extensive event programme focuses on energy and its many different manifestations in literature and artistic practice. Numerous Akademie members are involved, including Ulrike Draesner, Ursula Krechel, Steffen Mensching, Nanne Meyer, Ulrich Peltzer, Monika Rinck, Kathrin Röggla, Iris ter Schiphorst, Mike Schlaich, Katharina Schultens, Ingo Schulze, Lutz Seiler, Aleš Šteger, Manos Tsangaris and Cécile Wajsbrot.

The launch of the programme on 22 November features music and readings by Akademie members, with texts written especially for the event. In a symposium on 23 November, issues relating to “Energy, Poetics and Ecology” and “Energy and Creative Power” will be examined. Participants from the Akademie der Künste and the sciences, economic ventures, literature and architecture rely on their perspectives to shed light on the interrelationships between energy and energeia, as well as the implications for energy and ecology in terms of the outlook and potential of solar energy.
The concluding presentation on 24 November is a podium event in which older literary texts about forms of energy, such as mineral oil, gas and coal, are re-examined from today’s perspective.

The programme is augmented by artistic and discursive contributions from all Sections of the Akademie der Künste. It includes film screenings, an exhibition, video installations, archival presentations, tours through the Picture Cellar and the Architecture Archives storage area, a presentation by the KUNSTWELTEN education programme and the European Alliance of Academies’ Open Space: Café Climate.

The Akademie der Künste views itself and its programmes as a source of ideas and a mediator on sustainability. The Literature Days ‒ What drives us: Energy and energeia between politics and poetics ‒ continue a series of events dedicated to climate and environmental crises. Involvement, cultural education and sustainable production methods are central concerns of the Akademie der Künste.

Event Information
What drives us: Energy and energeia between politics and poetics
Literature Days
Wednesday, 22 November 2023, 6–10:15 pm
Thursday, 23 November 2023, 3–10 pm
Friday, 24 November 2023, 3–9 pm
Akademie der Künste, Pariser Platz 4, 10117 Berlin
Day ticket € 6/4, combined ticket for all three days € 15/9
Selected events in the programme are free.

Further details about the event programme are available here.

Press Contact
Dorothea Walther, walther@adk.de, Tel.: +49 (0)30 20057-1531