01.10.2024 | Artists and Curator of the Exhibition "OF LOVE“: REPORT ON THE CANCELLATION OF THE EXHIBITION "OF LOVE" at rk-Galerie Berlin-Lichtenberg
The bbk berlin represents the interests of visual artists in Berlin and takes a stand on issues relating to the working conditions and position of artists in our society, advocates open and permeable structures in the art world and defends the cultural, economic, legal and social interests of artists to the public and politicians. Because this is our task, the professional association publishes the report of the artists and curators of the exhibition “OF LOVE”.
The bbk berlin sees the cancellation of the “OF LOVE” exhibition as a violation of artistic freedom, as art can only fulfill its social function if it remains independent and finds its own language. If the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of art is restricted - as reported in this case - it questions our open and democratic society. If dialog processes are broken off, this damages the trust between actors in the art world on the one hand and politics and administration on the other. We are all called upon to find ways to rebuild this trust and thus strengthen and protect artistic freedom.
No censorship of the arts!
_____________________________________________
The exhibition OF LOVE was scheduled to run from August 22 to November 13, 2024, at rk-Galerie, Kommunale Galerie Lichtenberg. We, the artists and curator, believe it is essential to be transparent about the cancellation and silencing of our exhibition by rk-Galerie and the District Office of Lichtenberg.
REPORT ON THE CANCELLATION OF THE EXHIBITION "OF LOVE"
The exhibition, which was scheduled to open on August 22, 2024, was intended to explore acts of compassion in society and nature and to highlight the role of love in shaping a just and humane world. Initiated by the residency and exchange program HIER&JETZT: Connections (HUJ:C), the exhibition included newly developed artworks and events on various themes, inspired by the curatorial concept. In total, 19 artists from 13 countries worked on this exhibition over a period of 10 months.
At the onset of exhibition planning earlier this year, rk-Galerie’s director emphasized, specifically regarding the gallery’s censorship policy, that the gallery is also a political space where critical voices are welcome. The director also stated that the gallery's thematic focus is on current socio-critical issues. In August, while the exhibition was being installed, the district office and the new provisional gallery management raised objections to one artist's video work and descriptive text, as they were seen to contradict the political stance of the District Office of Lichtenberg and Germany. The text reads:
UP UP with LIBERATION - moving image - 6 minute loop
Inspired by two children at a demonstration on Kudamm in Berlin against the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza, and by the unfathomable strength of Gazan children who held a press conference at the onset of the genocide in November 2023, demanding a ceasefire from the world – but in vain.
Despite two discussions with the gallery management and the district office, we were unable to reach a resolution, as every option that was presented to us required altering or removing the artwork. Our suggestion that the gallery issue a disclaimer or additional text on its behalf was not accepted.
Committed to preserving the integrity of our work and the coherence of the exhibition, we informed the gallery management and district office that we were prepared to open the already fully installed exhibition in its original form and did not agree to any of the changes they had proposed. In response, the district office canceled the exhibition three hours before its scheduled opening without providing us an explanation, later citing irreconcilable differences between our stance and the political stance of the district office in their press release.
By sharing this report on the events that took place during the development and realization of the exhibition, we hope to provide artists, unions, and the broader cultural sector with the information necessary to understand and reflect on this incident.
Artists and Curator of the Exhibition "OF LOVE"
The exhibition text, complete list of artwork descriptions, and event descriptions can be found here: https://hierundjetzt.blo-ateliers.de/of-love/