I would like to show my project “Recognize - Overcome – Touch” (“Erkennen – Überwinden – Berühren”) in the context of the ARTCONNECT open call “Unseen”.

My project was designed for the art competition „Kunst im Schaufenster“ – altonale Kunstpreis 2020 as part of the altonale 2020, a culture festival in Hamburg, Germany. The topic for this year´s altonale art competition was diversity (Vielfalt). altonale 2020 should have taken place in June this year. The festival was cancelled due to the corona pandemic. The art competition „Kunst im Schaufenster“ – altonale Kunstpreis 2020 is postponed indefinitely. 

My project “Recognize - Overcome – Touch” (“Erkennen – Überwinden – Berühren”) in the context of diversity in words:

The topic: My work addresses the diverse possibilities of cultural identities that coexist with each other. Unfortunately, on the one hand, different ways of being, often enough, lead to severe conflicts. On the other hand, my work is inspired by the process of change by rapprochement as an answer to the question how communication and mutual respect can arise and how this can be promoted. Only if I am aware of my own prejudices, I can, in a second step, grow beyond them, observe other people openly and interact with them without judgment. In turn, this is a prerequisite for an appreciative and respectful approach and a way of life based on participatory cooperation. My artwork should convey these three steps in terms of content and structure.

Implementation idea: In cities, I perceive urban planning as a clear expression of culturally negotiated identities. Identity and the environment interact. In the self-image of people, city silhouettes can remind us of the places we call home. For many people this triggers deep feelings. City skylines and landmarks of a city thus become the emblem of one's own identity. But urban planning is never a mere cultural expression. It is an aesthetic and symbolic visualization of social agreements in connection to time. Buildings and streets are redesigned, for example, in the course of immigration. Communication and diversity therefore play a central role in every single city. In one way or another, communication becomes the path to innovation. 

Design: I show the process of negotiating between people with different cultural backgrounds in three paintings with different city skylines. In my pictures I use text fragments from different languages. The first picture (“Recognize”) with the Hamburg skyline represents one´s own, still insufficiently reflected, cultural starting point. Language fragments appear only in German language. In the second picture (“Overcome”), a multicultural city is created through a lively juxtaposition of different sets of international skylines and international attractions. The text fragments originate from common languages. In the third picture (“Touch”), a utopian fantasy skyline is created through recombination and new creation; the previously recognizable boundaries have dissolved and been redesigned. Text fragments of different international languages are positioned together. 

The previously indicated development of a self-reflective, empathetic and interested attitude as a prerequisite for a peaceful and respectful life style of cooperation is reflected by the chosen perspective. While the Hamburg skyline looks very close in perspective, the fantasy skyline, which represents the last step in the process of rapprochement, appears more distant to the viewer. 

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Nina Groth