CONTINENT – In Search of Europe

“KONTINENT – Auf der Suche nach Europa” [CONTINENT – In Search of Europe] is the new thematic joint exhibition put on by all members of OSTKREUZ – Agentur der Fotografen, in cooperation with the Akademie der Künste. It kicks off on 1 October 2020 with the European Month of Photography (EMOP).

The exhibition in the Akademie der Künste on Pariser Platz is conceived of as an artistic and political statement with a focus on the present state of Europe, which will be critically examined in 22 positions. In a series of independent artistic projects, the OSTKREUZ photographers explore various aspects of coexistence in Europe, shedding light on personal, societal and political phenomena, as well as on underlying structures and historical developments.

Through their pictures of people and the environments they live in, these photographers find access to complex topics, ranging from questions of identity and security to renationalization, migration and integration, to a fundamental understanding of humanism, democracy and freedom of expression.

“KONTINENT” hopes to provide fruitful impulses for the current discourse on Europe by asking such questions as: What is it that connects us? How do we coexist? Who is meant when people speak of Europeans?

Participating artists: Jörg Brüggemann, Espen Eichhöfer, Sibylle Fendt, Johanna-Maria Fritz, Annette Hauschild, Harald Hauswald, Heinrich Holtgreve, Tobias Kruse, Ute Mahler, Werner Mahler, Dawin Meckel, Thomas Meyer, Frank Schinski, Jordis Antonia Schlösser, Ina Schoenenburg, Anne Schönharting, Linn Schröder, Stephanie Steinkopf, Mila Teshaieva, Heinrich Völkel, Maurice Weiss, Sebastian Wells and Sibylle Bergemann (1941–2010)

Curator: Ingo Taubhorn

The exhibition is supported by European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF), the Senate Department for Culture and Europe and the Society of Friends of the Akademie der Künste.

Alliance of Academies. A Conference of European Cultural Institutions

The Akademie der Künste advocates for the freedom of the arts and calls upon other art academies and relevant cultural institutions across Europe to form an “Alliance of Academies”. The network will aim to preserve the cultural diversity of European societies and counteract nationalistic tendencies as well as any form of censorship in cultural policy. A joint manifesto articulates this stance and practices political responsibility as a commitment for the future.

The “Alliance of Academies” can serve the participating institutions in actively supporting each other and standing up for the common goal – an open and democratic Europe.

The opening event on Thursday evening, 8 October 2020, is open to the public.

Further information to follow.