Electric light has long been regarded as the epitome of human progress. However, the fact that it also raises darker sides is shown by the Wolfsburg Art Museum from 12 March in the exhibition Power! Light! The title gives an idea of the aspects of light on which the event will focus - an unconventional light art show whose content is not lacking in political messages.
From 12 March, the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg will be devoting itself to the many facets of artificial light. The exhibition Power! Light! explores the changing significance of light for mankind - »from Plato's allegory of the sun and the beginning of Christianity with its hope for a world to the invention of electric light«, light is not always to be seen as progress. Under the euphemism »white torture«, it also functions as a method of torture.
Light pollution and energy wastagfre are concepts of modern times that the museum brings into focus with this exhibition. Power! Light! presents artistic positions that critically comment on the use of light with regard to resources. The exhibition thus differs from other light art shows that have tried to accommodate all kinds of works in which electric light is used. It literally illuminates socio-political pairs of meanings such as violence and power, control and surveillance, utopia and dystopia or advertising and manipulation. Among the positions represented are Monica Bonvicini, Damien Hirst, Joseph Beuys, Tatsuo Miyajima, Siegrun Appelt and Naneci Yurdagül.
As a prologue to the large indoor exhibition, a 16-metre light installation by the artist Alfredo Jaar can be seen on the façade of the State Representation of Lower Saxony in Berlin (In den Ministergärten 10) from 12 March. Power! Light! runs until 10 July at the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg.
Continuation of the anniversary exhibitions: In 2026, Georg Brandner will celebrate his 70th birthday and his 50th anniversary as a freelance artist. He is presenting his works in various Austrian cities, with the next stop being Wolfsberg: On June 30 at 6:30 p.m., the exhibition Georg Brandner – 70 Years of Art will open at Galerie Atelier Berndt.
An exhibition on the conservation and restoration of unusual materials in works of art: On June 27, the Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst in Ghent will open the exhibition Joseph Beuys | Wirtschaftswerte: a conservation history, centered on Beuys’s renowned work.
