Vernissage
"Fertile structures" colonise Kunsthalle Barmen
Mushrooms as a symbol of urban cooperation: Together with numerous artists and contributors, the University of Wuppertal is showing the exhibition "Fertile Structures" from 24 January. // Graphics School of Art and Design
The exhibition "Fertile Structures" explores possibilities for networked production and consumption in the urban environment. To this end, it utilises the symbolic power of fungi and mycelia, thread-like cells that spread out as a network. "They are both valuable sources of raw materials and a source of inspiration for networked thinking and action that can also positively change the way we live together in the future," explains Prof Dr Martina Fineder from the two-member team of curators at the University of Wuppertal. This is because individual ideas often only unfold their impact when they are combined, of which the Kunsthalle Barmen itself is a successful example. "For 'Fertile Structures', artists and designers are developing sustainable practices and processes together with scientists and experimenting with new materials and forms," says Prof Katharina Maderthaner, describing the preparations for the second show in the revitalised historical exhibition spaces in Wuppertal's Haus der Jugend. Her leitmotifs are the circular economy and the common good.
The "Kunsthalle Barmen" project
In October 2024, the university of Wuppertal celebrated the reopening of the Kunsthalle Barmen together with the city of Wuppertal, numerous supporters and visitors. The shared vision: a lively venue for contemporary art and design, where numerous connections between the urban community, the university and the international art and design scene are created. The Kunsthalle Barmen is a research centre for cultural education, initially limited to three years. The inaugural exhibition "Shared Spaces" with its mediation work by students attracted attention beyond the regional and national art scene.
Exhibition-accompanying educational programmes: A varied programme takes place every week from Thursday to Sunday: For example, repair workshops can be attended, fabrics can be dyed with bacteria and mushrooms can be artfully preserved. Founders can examine the sustainability impact of their ideas together with the transform.NRW team and the art education team organises guided tours for different age groups and interests on request at info[at]kunsthallebarmen.de.
Invitation for journalists and editorial offices: On 21 January 2025 from 12 noon there will be an opportunity to get to know the exhibition, both curators and some of the artists.
Opening on 24 January 2025 at 7 pm with words of welcome from Prof. Birgitta Wolff, Rector of the University of Wuppertal and Prof. Katja Pfeiffer, Director of Kunsthalle Barmen, School of Art and Design at the University of Wuppertal.
The programme for the opening weekend from 24 - 26 January can be found here.
Organisation of the exhibition
The exhibition is a cooperation between the School of Art and Design, Industrial Design, the University of Wuppertal and the joint project "transform.NRW - Shaping Sustainability with Art, Culture and Design", which is led by the Wuppertal Institute and the Faculty. transform.NRW is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
