nGbK Lecture: Verbund – A conversation about common perspectives for art associations
with Christiane Mennicke-Schwarz and Klaus Fischer
With Christiane Mennicke-Schwarz (Kunsthaus/Robotron-Kantine Dresden) & Klaus Fischer (Kunstverein Freunde Aktueller Kunst)
Moderation: Ingrid Wagner (Chair nGbK) & Jochen Becker (station urbaner kulturen/nGbK Hellersdorf)
In conversation with representatives of two prominent institutions – the Kunsthaus in Dresden and the Kunstverein Freunde Aktueller Kunst e.V. in Zwickau – we want to talk about experiences of how art and culture can continue after the elections in Saxony, but also in the everyday life of art institutions. With Christiane Mennicke-Schwarz and Klaus Fischer, we will discuss how to deal with populist parties and show ways to show solidarity with East German art associations. Are our experiences as nGbK comparable?
Kunsthaus Dresden has been part of the museums of the city of Dresden as a municipal institution since 1991 and, with the planned Robotron Kantine, a house for international contemporary art. With changing exhibitions and accompanying events, it provides insights into current art events around the world. We would like to discuss the perspective within the Dresden art landscape, but also the experiences that have been made with politics and the public in the art city of Dresden. We have been in close contact with Christiane Mennicke-Schwarz since the founding of the station urbaner kulturen/nGbK Hellersdorf.
Klaus Fischer is the founder and director of Freunde Aktueller Kunst, an art association founded in Zwickau in 1998. It is now one of the largest cultural associations in eastern Germany. Unlike in Dresden, the association is supported by donations and in part by grants from the state and federal government for its program work. In the city and the political environment, the association does not have an easy time of it due to its sometimes critical program. Klaus Fischer can report on the history of the Freunde Aktueller Kunst and the reactions that the association has to deal with.
We would like to share our perspectives with both institutions: What is the role of art in current society between cuts in federal and state funding and rising populism? How could the foundations of a common, stable structure be created? Ideally, such network systems can provide means of production, help build solidarity and make us smarter overall.