Im Aufwind

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Perspectives for art in public space beyond the centres

Art in public space is booming: not only are many art-in-building projects being implemented in Berlin as part of the current boom, but public as well as private initiatives are rediscovering the articulation and argumentation possibilities of urban space.
After the sculpture boulevards and drop sculptures of the 80s and 90s, critical reflection on urban transformation processes, socio-spatial development issues and participatory aspects are now very much in vogue.
Artists, foundations and public authorities as well as private companies, are pushing into public space in order to occupy the last collective free spaces in the fight for commercial displacement. These open spaces are to be democratically developed and designed, and the interest of the urban public is growing.
The question remains: What is art doing? Can it assert its freedom and autonomy? Or is it in danger of running after set themes and trends and increasingly becoming a tool of social and urban political interests? Why is high art concentrated in the centres, while on the peripheries art is reduced to a therapeutic format? What role will art play in Berlin’s city marketing in the future? What role will funding instruments play?

We would like to discuss these and other questions with the following guests:

Dr Eva Högl, lawyer and politician, member of the German Bundestag and deputy chair of the SPD parliamentary group, deputy member of the culture committee of the German Bundestag and also member of the Kunstverein Tiergarten.

Bettina Quäschning, cultural marketing expert, new head of the Partner Relations department at visitBerlin, is working here, among other things, to enhance the cultural offerings in Berlin’s districts.

Prof. Nicola Lepp, art and cultural scientist, professor of culture and mediation at Potsdam University of Applied Sciences, where as dean she is concerned with the interfaces between city, building and culture, among other things.

Judith Laub, cultural and political scientist, programme manager for urban culture in the Department of Art and Culture/District Office Mitte of Berlin, previously worked for the Berlin cultural administration in the field of art in construction and urban space.

Thorsten Goldberg, artist, numerous works in public space and art-in-architecture projects, was and is involved in the organisation of competitions and selection of projects as a member of various committees and juries.

Adam Page, artist, representing the artist couple Hertzsch & Page, since 1994 numerous projects in urban space in constantly changing collaborations, member of numerous committees and juries.

in conversation with
Veronika Witte, Ralf F. Hartmann and Claudia Beelitz