The river Elbe - [in]between

From a human perspective, rivers have always represented more than simply landscape features - they are waterways, borders, economic areas, etc. The Elbe, which runs through Magdeburg, is an example of how the interaction between people and the river has lost its significance of times past. Freed from its former economic and political ties, the Elbe could fulfil new cultural functions today. The river, which begins in the Czech Republic, was the focus of a long-term exhibition project, through which the Kunstmuseum Magdeburg revitalized its European symbolism. One of the highlights was the museum itself, a former convent, which lies on the Elbe and once directed the Christianisation efforts in areas on the other side of the river. There were very few contemporary artworks which address, in particular, the cultural space of river landscapes. Therefore, as part of the project, European artists have been commissioned to create new artwork based on this theme.


Curators: Annegret Laabs, Uwe Gellner
Artists: Gloria Friedmann (F), Ian Hamilton Finlay (GB), Koji Kamoji (PL), Maurizio Nannucci (I), Dagmar Varady

Venues and schedule:
Magdeburg, Convent of Our Lady and the banks of the Elbe between the Sternbrücke and Strombrücke, 4 Jun. - 3 Sep. 2006 and 22 Sep. - 20 Jan. 2008