Da(zwischen-)sein

In the organizer's words:

What does it mean to be 'in between'?
To be in motion, in transition, between two states?
When does it mean freedom, when does it mean uncertainty?

Being 'in-between' is a central moment in human life, be it on a personal, social or artistic level. Between the past and the future, the known and the unknown, identity and change, spaces are created that are neither clear nor linear.

From May 2025, the group exhibition with young artists from Aachen, Düsseldorf and the surrounding area will focus on human life as a constant 'in-between': between different spaces, times, cultures, identities and perspectives. The focus will be on the transitions, in-between spaces and areas of tension that characterize human existence. Philosophical, artistic and social issues are interlinked: How do we deal with the spaces in between? What creative, social and individual potential do they harbor and where do they become a challenge?

With a selection of paintings, prints, installations, sculptural objects, ceramics and textile works, the artists Aylin Ismihan Kabakci, Melike Kara, Sunyoeng Kim-Heinzel, Sina Yome Link, Janis Löhrer, Murat Önen, Eyad Sbeigh, Majd Suliman and Theresa Weber present individual perspectives on the "in-between" and its complexity. They refer to existing structures of art history, which become new narratives in the respective in-between spaces.

The group exhibition begins in the foyer with a textile work by Theresa Weber (*1996, Düsseldorf). It connects the two exhibition rooms of the building, the Kaminzimmer on the first floor and the Kupferstichkabinett on the second floor. The work breaks up historical and architectural hierarchies and shows new perspectives on the subject of anti-colonialism. In the foyer, Melike Kara, Sina Yome Link, Eyad Sbeigh and Majd Suliman show their works on the themes of nostalgia, progress and identity. In the Kupferstichkabinett, Aylin Ismihan Kabakci, Sunyeong Kim-Heinzel, Janis Löhrer, Murat Önen and Theresa Weber deal with memory, the individual and change.

HANNAH ARENDT

Spaces in between play an important role in various disciplines. They are also an important component in the work of the German-American publicist Hannah Arendt (1906-1975). For Arendt, the world is the space in which people appear as individuals and enter into relationships with one another. This world is literally that which lies "between" people. It connects and separates at the same time. In this context, Arendt understands action as one of the basic human activities that always takes place in interaction with others. Action creates in-between spaces by establishing relationships and shaping the world, which for her is a space of tension in which difference is not dissolved but made productive.

EXPERIENCING INTERSPACES

A central focus of the exhibition is on participatory elements: Visitors are invited not only to wander through the spaces in between, but to actively participate in them. Some of the works on display only unfold their full effect in dialog with the viewer. They react to proximity, movement or interaction and open up new levels of perception. The exhibition also invites visitors to contribute their own thoughts, experiences or questions and share them with others. Being in-between becomes a shared experience that changes and grows with every step, with every contribution: What is YOUR being in-between?

A multilingual exhibition booklet (DE, EN, AR) accompanies you through the exhibition.

CURATOR OF THE EXHIBITION: