At the Bethanien, expectations raised by art and culture as concerns their social potential have recently been at the core of a fierce ideological battle over how art can make itself useful and who may take advantage of it. Reacting to this public debate, Reiner Maria Matysik’s project presents itself less as an exhibition in the traditional sense than an open-ended workshop for which various citizens’ groups are invited to formulate ideas and utopias.
From 1 to 17 September, Matysik – whose previous work has been concerned with visions in the field of natural sciences and botanical-zoological research as a sculptor – will encourage his guests to develop new visions for themselves and society. The workshop will address the following questions: Which life forms would you like to see in the future? What could future life forms possibly look like? The ideas raised by the debates will be recorded using paper, pens, various tools and modelling material. Participants will be shaping, describing and drawing with the aim of articulating their wishes and thoughts on post-evolutionary beings and life forms. The results will subsequently be shown in the exhibition space. After the workshops, from 7 to 8 pm, Matysik will screen video interviews he has conducted with representatives of NGOs and environmental groups on “whether nature makes sense”.
izl – initiative zukünftige lebensformen
