The term “cringe” has resurfaced on the internet in recent years. According to Google Trends statistics, there has been a significant increase in searches for this term, which has been steadily rising since 2016. “Cringe” refers to a reaction of embarrassment or social awkwardness. This feeling arises when we become aware of our own uncomfortable actions or when we empathize, or even mock, someone else’s behavior that causes us secondhand embarrassment.

The term “cringe” encompasses a wide range of emotions, making it a versatile word to describe various incidents. However, its usage and application have been shaped by internet communities. Not only is it widely known and used, but it has also managed to bridge divergent identities.

People of different ages, races, genders, political affiliations, and other backgrounds find a common language of communication through “cringe” online. Similar to the existence of metaphorical languages for artistic subjects, “cringe” has spawned a metaphorical language for artistic expression. This is evident in many contemporary works, both digital and non-digital, and has given rise to new artistic media such as memes. “Cringe” has become an overarching concept that encompasses a broader range of social embarrassments.

The universality of identifying with “cringe” when faced with discomfort or socially awkward situations could position it as a contemporary Sublime. Historically, the Sublime has been associated with aesthetic theories heavily influenced by the social dynamics of the time. However, does “cringe” represent a modern form of the Sublime? Has it emerged in response to a shift away from a prescribed aesthetic? We currently exist in a time where collective digital languages are being created to understand a wider range of identities and where a diversity of aesthetic influences is prevalent.

Considering that aesthetics today are multifaceted due to the World Wide Web and the widespread dissemination of information, this exhibition aims to explore these ideas. Through artworks that construct an intimate fusion of references to our digital identity, it presents a familiar chaos that challenges viewers to organize it, while deeply engaging with their present human identity.

*cringe* Curated by: Socrates Stamatatos, Dimi Kalabo 29 SEPTEMBER-08 OCTOBER 2023

Aram Bartholl stellt im Gespräch mit Kuratorin Susann Scholl seine aktuelle Installation auf dem Klarissenplatz vor. Anhand von weiteren Beispielen gibt er darüber hinaus einen vertiefenden Einblick in sein Werk, in dem Analoges und Digitales häufig auf feinsinnig-absurde Weise aufeinandertreffen.

On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, the Kunsthalle Osnabrück is showing Aram Bartholl’s most comprehensive solo exhibition to date. Aram Bartholl is one of the pioneers in Germany who deals with socially relevant conflicts of digitality and automation through art. Originally coming from the field of architecture, he uses his performative interventions, sculptures and workshops to question our current media behaviour as well as the public economies that are linked to social networks, online platforms or digital distribution strategies. He puts socially relevant topics such as surveillance, data security or dependency on technology up for discussion by transferring the gaps, contradictions or absurdities of our digital everyday life into spatial settings.

For the Kunsthalle Osnabrück, Aram Bartholl transformed the Kunsthalle´s church space into a walk-in recycling yard for electronic waste. The scenery is illuminated by three sculptures hanging from the ceiling, reminiscent of chandeliers that are made from recycled televisions. The result is a sensual as well as functional installation of complementary exhibition parts that invite us to reflect on the cycles, consequences and future perspectives of our daily consumption of media and goods. The walk-through parcours made of piled up electronic waste makes the amount of recycled material of our belongings visible and creates a unique environment for a diverse art mediation programme  including workshops, plena by local climate activists, repair cafés, excursions, lectures and film screenings. Oversized QR codes on the church walls frame the setting and raise critical questions about our handling of energy resources, raw materials and labour rights in the digital society. Opposing the electronic waste, the exhibition contains a 30-metre-long DHL Packstation, which is put into operation during the exhibition period. Osnabrück citizens and visitors are able to pick up their parcels at the Kunsthalle Osnabrück and drop them off in the respective lockers.

Curators: Anna Jehle and Juliane Schickedanz
Curators public programme: Louisa Behr, Joscha Heinrichs, Anna Holms and Christel Schulte.

Funded by the Stiftung Niedersachsen (Foundation of Lower Saxony) and the Niedersächsische Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur (Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture). The VGH Stiftung (VGH Foundation) is funding the accompanying exhibition’s art mediation programme. With the kind support of Deutsche Post AG, Lerec Elektrorecycling GmbH and Osnabrücker ServiceBetrieb.

Credits:

Curated by: Anna Jehle, Juliane Schickedanz (duo team, directors of Kunsthalle)
Curatorial assistance: Anna Holms
Public Programming: Aram Bartholl, Louisa Behr, Joscha Heinrichs, Anna Holms, Christel Schulte
Installation team: Norbert Hillebrand, Timo Katz, Andreas Zelle
Exhibition office: Natali Märtin
Visitor service: Frank Berger, Ulla Brinkmann, Harcharan Gill, Sina Lichtenberg, Kaan Ege Önal, Josef Wegmann
Finances: Viktoria Puskar
Janitor: Wilfried Wienstroer
Janitorial assistance: Frank Berger
PR: Kristina Helena Pavićević
Art mediation and education: Christel Schulte

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A cordial invitation to the group exhibition A:PRÉS D:ÉSSERT @adcuratorial which proudly forms a part of @projectspacefestival

Opening: Sat. 17.06.2023 | 15:00 – 22:00
Exhibition: 18.06. – 25.06.2023 | 12:00 -18:00
Closing: Sat. 24.06.2023 | 15:00 – 22:00

with:
Ellinor Aurora Aasgaard & Zayne Armstrong, Aram Bartholl, Carsten Becker, Johannes Büttner, Sarah Doerfel, Lola Göller, Mathias Gramoso, Hannah Hallermann, Marianna Ignataki, Zina Isupova, Justina Los, Jill Kiddon, Zoë Claire Miller, Alice M. Morey, Ariel Reichman, Ariel Schlesinger, Marco Schmitt, Adam Slowik, Maximillian Thiel, Mirce Velarde, Ivar Veermäe, Nazim Unal Yilmaz

curated by: Marco Schmitt

A:D: Curatorial
Kurfürstenstraße 142
10179 Berlin – Schöneberg
http://adcuratorial.com

The group exhibition A:PRÉS D:ÉSSERT addresses social change under expanded aspects of Maslow’s system of needs. Hierarchies dissolve and human needs intersect with the holistic nature of ecosystems. The entrances to social constructs transform into systemic exits of collectivity. Multi-perspective escape routes can be discovered in the exhibition – The impossible becomes conceivable, imaginable and

Artist Talk

Artist talk at Weak Signals. New Narratives in Art, Prof. Lukas Feireiss & Prof. Dr. Florian Hadler. Weak Signals. New Narratives in Art and Technology

Tilt/Shift – Experiment as Normality
Even in our society’s fields of activity we previously believed to be safe, the contemporary crises prevalent worldwide are revealing to us a long-inconceivable collapse. Although no claim can be laid on a normal state of the world, the feeling of security is dwindling for an ever-growing number of people: habitual viewpoints are breaking away, certainties are shifting. The promise that all will remain well, or that things will be all right again, is currently unravelling and is almost impossible to carry into tomorrow from today. Even people who, thus far, imagined themselves to be safe in their habitat are noticing that their everyday life is under ever-more frequent threat. Thought patterns are being queried and discussed – constructively by groups and individuals, but also in a polarising way by fact-twisters. Old discourses on euro-centrically and post-colonially influenced views of the world – in macro and in micro – are being sustained and propagated. Times of crisis not only signify uncertainty, but are also able – despite it all – to highlight opportunities. Partly out of necessity, potentials are examined at all levels for open spaces, new phenomena and further developments. Will the experiment of constantly having to refocus become the normal state now? How can photography capture the enormous changes? What images allow us to better understand an uncertain, diverse world subject to turbulent and complex transformation – and to keep an eye on the experiment’s open outcome?

with:
ARAM BARTHOLL, ALICE CREISCHER, FANTASTIC LITTLE SPLASH, FREDERIK FOERT, SOPHIE GOGL, BARBARA HAMMER, MIRIAM JONAS, RALF MEYER, MICHAEL SAILSTORFER, PHILIP SCHEFFNER, CONSTANTIN SCHRÖDER, ALEEN SOLARI

Social Media prägt unseren Alltag und unsere Gesellschaft. Messenger-Dienste, Plattformen zum Teilen von Bildern und Videos, bis hin zu Dating Plattformen sind Teil unserer Kommunikation geworden. Auch aus den Künsten sind die Sozialen Medien nicht mehr wegzudenken. Einerseits genutzt als Website, andererseits als Ort der Selbstdarstellung, scheint das eigene Publikum nur einen Klick entfernt.

Die Ausstellung „:-#“ zeigt Arbeiten zum Thema Social Media in der Kunst und stellt die Frage was sozial an den Sozialen Netzwerken ist und inwiefern diese unser Verhalten und Gesellschaft verändern. In unterschiedlichsten Medien setzen sich Künstler*innen damit auseinander, was es bedeutet in einer digital geprägten Welt künstlerisch zu agieren.

Ausstellende:
Aram Bartholl, Felix Chauvin, Michael Dörner, Veronika Domp,  Finn Geiger, Gunilla Jähnichen, Amy Justen, Kira Keune,  Echo Can Luo, Zhiyi Liu, Julian Öffler, Eun Jung Sim und weitere

Communication pervades our lives more than ever before. With the digital channels, we are constantly accessible and can publish ourselves wherever and whenever we want. But despite the many great opportunities, the tide of information may often appear confusing, polarizing or hateful, and our public conversation is challenged.

On November 19, 2022, ENIGMA will open new exhibition areas and a large children’s area, in which we look forward to welcoming everyone.

Eingeladene Künstler:innen:
Ulf Arminde, Stefan Alber, Aram Bartholi, Fehmi Baumbach, Marc Bijl,  Jessica Buhlmann/Zao, Zuzanna Czebatul, Moritz Frei, Jana Gunstheimer, Christian Henkel, Verena Issel, Zoe C. Miller, Anne Mundo, Rainer Neumeier,  Angelika Nguyen, Thomas Prochnow, Regina Schmeken, Schroeter&Berger, Kristina Schuldt, Raul Walch, Christian Werner, Ina Wudtke

Die siebte Ausstellung der Reihe KUNST GEGEN RECHTS nimmt den 30. Jahrestag der Pogrome von Rostock-Lichtenhagen als Anlass, um kritisch auf aktuelle, gesellschaftliche Konflikte einzugehen.

Deutschland ist eine postmigrantische Gesellschaft der Vielen. Immer noch wird diese Tatsache viel zu wenig zur Kenntnis genommen. Der Wiedervereinigung am 3. Oktober 1990 folgten rassistische Ausschreitungen und Mordanschläge in Rostock, Mannheim, Hoyerswerda, Mölln und Solingen bis zur Terrorserie des NSU. Es folgten Anschläge auf jüdische Friedhöfe und emanzipatorische Projekte. Eine wiedererwachte deutsche Volksgemeinschaft kroch aus den Löchern hervor.

Der rechte Populismus, der die Kultureinrichtungen als Akteure einer gesellschaftlichen demokratischen Vision angreift, steht der Kunst der Vielen feindselig gegenüber. Die Neue Rechte hat die Kulturpolitik als Kampffeld entdeckt, um ihre völkischen Vorstellungen umzusetzen. Rechte Gruppierungen und Parteien stören Veranstaltungen, verhindern Ausstellungen, greifen in Theater-Spielpläne ein, polemisieren gegen die Freiheit der Kunst, gegen Dekoloniale Erinnerungsprojekte und arbeiten an einer Renationalisierung der Kultur. Es wird einFeldzug gegen zeitgenössische, „undeutsche“ Kunst geführt, die als „neumodische Extravaganzen“ und „exzentrische Randgruppenkunst“ bezeichnet wird, wie aktuell gegen den Kunstverein in Zwickau.

Seit dem Ausbruch der Pandemie, stehen viele Dinge auf dem Prüfstand. Es zeigte sich, wer ein solidarisches Miteinander praktiziert und wer als Pandemiegewinnler oder Coronaleugner die Krise für eigene Interessen nutzt. Bei den sogenannten Querdenken-Demonstrationen kommt es zu einer fatalen Zusammenarbeit verschiedener Akteure. Rechte Gruppierungen und Parteien gewinnen immer mehr an Einfluss. Antisemitismus ist in der neuen Bewegung stark vertreten, wie auch eine Verharmlosung der Shoa und der Gleichsetzung der NS-Zeit mit der aktuellen Situation.

Since very early on, artists have understood the power of transformation of play, integrating it into their works with distinct purposes -evasion of reality, social construction and transformation, subversion or criticism of the very mechanisms of play and games. The exhibition Playmode proposes a reflection on these aspects and on the period of ludification that contemporary societies are going through, bringing together the work of several artists who adopt the theme and explore new ways of seeing, participating in, and transforming the world, using play in a critical manner.

with:

Aram Bartholl, Bill Viola + Game Innovation Lab, Bobware, Brad Downey, Brent Watanabe, Coletivo Beya Xinã Bena + Guilherme Meneses, David OReilly, Filipe Vilas-Boas, Harum Farocki, Isamu Noguchi, Jaime Lauriano, Joseph DeLappe, Laura Lima + Marcius Galan, Lucas Pope, Mary Flanagan, !Mediengruppe Bitnik, Milton Manetas, Molleindustria, Nelson Leirner, Pippin Barr, Priscila Fernandes, Raquel Fukuda + Ricardo Barreto, Samuel Bianchini, Shimabuku, Tale of Tales (Auriea Harvey e Michaël Samyn) e The Pixel Hunt.

Curators: Filipe Pais and Patrícia Gouveia.

The current mutated “epidemiological” societies within which we exist reveal that any previous indication we had about the term “safety” is now in limbo. TILT Platform has started exploring and developing the concept “Safe Mode” likening it to the indication safe mode appearing on our computers and smart devices, when they stop functioning properly after a major technical crisis. The process of safe mode emerges as the only possible solution. Comparing this state of technological malfunction to the processes of contemporary life, psychology and human behaviour, the term safe mode acquires an anthropological character.

Participating Artists
Nikos Arvanitis (GR), Aram Bartholl (DE), Browser Based (Zsolt Mesterhazy & Alex Zakkas) (NLD / GR), Sofia Caesar (BR), Paolo Cirio (IT), Manja Ebert (DE), Adrianos Efthymiadis (GR) & Iria Vrettou (GR), For Cancel (Makis Faros, Zoi Pirini, Takis Zerdevas) (GR), Elisa Giardina Papa (IT), Basim Magdy (EGY), Theophanis Melas (GR), Simon Menner (DE), Yorgos Papafigos (GR), Michalis Zacharias (GR), Apostolos Zerdevas (GR)

Curated by
Foteini Vergidou in collaboration with TILT Platform (Makis Faros, Zoi Pirini, Apostolos Zerdevas, Takis Zerdevas)

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