The Twister exhibition, the content of which began to take shape in 2021, was based on the observation that certain political developments in the Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean and the South Caucasus could have traumatic consequences – and on the prediction that these would accelerate in the near future. Rising chauvinist rhetoric, militarisation, ambitions to become a regional power, shifting alliances and threats of ethnic cleansing all gave the sense that a storm was brewing.

Over the past five years, this pent-up energy has indeed evolved into major ruptures across a region stretching from Ukraine to Gaza, and from Karabakh to Iran. At the event and on the occasion of the Twister publication that came out this spring, the curatorial team and some of the contributing artists will revisit the ideas behind the project. Afterwards, art critic Ingo Arend and curator Amirali Ghasemi will discuss the challenges faced by artists and artistic practices in such tense political and social circumstances.