Atmospheric translation of happiness

In German, the word Glück stands for two states of mind: luck, and happiness, a feeling of happiness. The Düsseldorf Kunsthalle describes happiness in life as a state of mind that is intended to give long-term satisfaction and is not, like luck, only short-lived.

The idea for the exhibition came about in the midst of the fourth Corona wave: in the winter of 2021/22. Alongside impending lockdowns, new virus variants, discussions about triage and amazement at how the end of the year could come to this for the second time in a row, there was surrender and fatigue - and of course the usual wet grey.

Instead, colour, joy and happiness should once again find their way in, bring a smile to the face. From 26 March, Happiness is a State of Mind* wants to spread this joie de vivre with the help of art: »According to studies, the beauty of art can demonstrably increase the level of the so-called happiness hormone serotonin,« says the exhibition text.

The Kunsthalle is presenting thirteen artists who have a connection to Düsseldorf. The paintings, sculptures and installations were created for the joy of form and colour. The positively charged emotions can be experienced by the viewer and are intended to transfer »atmospherically« to the mind in the exhibition space. The artists represented are Laura Aberham, Jan Albers, Vivian Greven, Erika Hock, Dietmar Lutz, André Niebur, Martin Pfeifle, Chris Reinecke, Hedda Schattanik & Roman Szczesny, Christoph Schellberg, Jörn Stoya and Tatjana Valsang.

*In view of the situation in Ukraine, the organisers, together with the artists, decided to add a visible deletion to the event title because its original form was misleading against this background.