Contemporary Society and Aesthetic Practice
Max Czollek and Sasha Salzmann in conversation, moderator: René Aguigah
introduction: Eva Geulen, Andrea Krauss, Elisabeth Strowick
Political struggles often have a strong connection with artistic practices. This is particularly true for modern German culture, which cannot be fully understood without considering the diverse elements of its society. Examples range from hip-hop and Kanak Attack to the post-migrant movement, including stage occupations, new literary forms, and the history of artistic empowerment. However, art is not inherently progressive. The growing right-wing movement in Germany is also creating its own artistic expressions and discussing art in its own terms, as seen in the anti-woke debate. This conference aims to explore these dynamics. Sasha Salzmann, Max Czollek, and René Aguigah will come together to reflect on the current state of affairs, examining unfulfilled hopes, what still remains, and the possible directions for the future.
The talk is a cooperation between NYU Berlin and ZfL and opens the conference Finstere Zeiten / Dark Times. Diagnostics of the Present at NYU Berlin.
Fig. above: Warren de la Rue: Solar Eclipse June 18th, 1860 (detail)