The Condition of Powerlessness – Democracia, Revolutie & Polizey

Economic and debt crises, waves of refugees, climate change, terrorism – every day the media reports about crises, catastrophes and global risks. In light of these ominous scenarios – both media-generated and real – many people are losing confidence in the ability of government to counter and avert them. The political instruments appear to be ineffective, the result of which is increasing disenchantment with politics and a growing feeling of powerlessness. If such a feeling pervades an entire society, it can breed dictatorship and war. And when a person feels powerless, it can lead to inner emigration or political extremism.

The Frankfurter Kunstverein has organized an experimental project titled “The Condition of Powerlessness”, comprised of two corresponding exhibitions, “Democracia” and “Revolutie” and an accompanying discursive laboratory called “Polizey” with ten events. Two artists’ groups from Spain and Romania presented their works and conducted artistic experiments on means of dealing with social circumstances and ills which can help people overcome the feeling of powerlessness.

Artistic director: Holger Kube Ventura
Research assistant: Felix Trautmann
Artists: Pablo Espana (ES), Iván López (ES), Florin Tudor (RO), Mona Vatamanu (RO)