The group exhibition "Transitions. On the effects of social upheavals in artistic work" shows around 50 paintings, works on paper, sculptures and sculptures by 15 artists with a biographical connection to Dresden from the 1980s and 1990s as well as the early 2000s in the engine hall of riesa efau.
The starting point is the period around 1989/90: suddenly society is upside down. What had just been valid was obsolete. Art, so recently still important, becomes a minor matter in view of the upheaval in society as a whole - for most people. Some have already left the country for a completely different society in the West, for an established federal and capitalist system. Those who stayed are now also experiencing a fundamental system change with profound effects on all areas of life. Positive and negative points of friction - for many the basis of legitimisation for political attitudes and artistic practices - lose their validity from one day to the next.

The exhibition "Transitions" asks how such a momentous socio-political upheaval as a sudden caesura directly shapes and changes the work and practice of artists. What relevance did the long years of transformation since 1989/90 have? Is it even possible to trace the development of an artist's work independently of external influences?

In the group exhibition, examples of works from the 1980s, 1990s and, as a biographical expansion, the early 2000s are highlighted. For the first time, this comprehensive presentation will allow visitors to experience these periods in a concise artistic synopsis. Some of the exhibited works will be on public display again after a long time, others for the first time ever.

In the programme accompanying the exhibition, the artists will have their say in person. The fortnightly artist talks offer the opportunity for in-depth dialogue. Guided tours and workshops will also be offered during the exhibition. On 7 and 8 February 2025, art scholars, historians, sociologists and artists will meet in the Motorenhalle for a public symposium to discuss current perspectives on the topic.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue with contributions by Frank Eckhardt, April Eisman, Teresa Ende, Matthias Flügge, Susanne Greinke, Tino Heim, Pauline Hohn, Paul Kaiser, Gregor H. Lersch, Astrid Nielsen, Carolin Quermann, Karl-Siegbert Rehberg, Johannes Schmidt, Christoph Tannert, Silke Wagler, Mathias Wagner, Angelia Weißbach and others.

With works by Eva Backofen, Klaus Dennhardt, Else Gabriel, Hubertus Giebe, Eberhard Göschel, Peter Graf, Angela Hampel, Günther Hornig, Matthias Jackisch, Petra Kasten, Ralf Kerbach, Gerda Lepke, Stefan Plenkers, Christine Schlegel, Tobias Stengel

Curator:inside Gwendolin Kremer, Silke Wagler, Frank Eckhardt

Participating institutions

riesa efau. Kultur Forum Dresden
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Kunstfonds
Technische Universität Dresden, Kustodie
Motorenhalle. Project Centre for Contemporary Art

Lenders

Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Albertinum and Kunstfonds des Freistaates Sachsen, Städtische Galerie Dresden, artists, private property

Opening Friday, 25. October 2024, 8 pm

Exhibition duration 26 October 2024 - 2 March 2025

Admission €3.50 / €5, Friday free