Affects

The Kunstpalais Erlangen coordinated an international group exhibition together with the Dutch Gemeentemuseum in Helmond and the Belgian Cultuurcentrum in Mechelen, which it staged at all three locations. The subject of the exhibition is both topical and controversial: What emotions shape public politics, in which rational analysis is so highly valued? How do they influence our media-driven society, and how do the media influence our emotions? Enraged and indignant citizens in the Arabic world, in Istanbul, Brazil and Spain are taking to the streets to demonstrate against social ills and political corruption. Even in Germany (Stuttgart 21, Occupy Movement) we have seen how emotions, especially when fanned by the media and Internet, can become a motor for social change. This exhibition, for which the Kunstpalais succeeded in engaging eleven internationally renowned artists, interpreted affects as strong, spontaneous feelings which have real consequences for political systems, and investigated when and how such affects are reflected in contemporary art. Furthermore, it investigated to what extent such emotions can be transferred to those who observe them. The exhibition was supplemented by lectures, podium discussions and readings.

Artistic directors: Claudia Emmert, Marianne Splint (NL), Koen Leemans (BE)
Curators: Claudia Emmert, Frank Hoenjet (NL), Anne van de Voorde (BE)
Artists: Halil Altindere (TR), Keren Cytter (IL), Cyprien Gaillard (FR), Meiro Koizumi (JP), Aernout Mik (NL), Suzanne Opton (US), Santiago Sierra (ES), Mathilde ter Heijne (NL), Ryan Trecartin (US), Bill Viola (US), Tomoya Watanabe (JP).

Additional Venues:
Gemeentemuseum, Helmond: 15 Oct. 2014 – 11 Jan. 2015;
Cultuurcentrum, Mechelen: 12 Feb. – 25 May 2015