State of Exhibition in Kassel: Exhibiting Becomes a Work of Art Itself
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State of Exhibition: When Exhibiting Becomes the Subject of Research
The exhibition State of Exhibition in the exhibition hall of the Kunsthochschule Kassel focuses on a central question of contemporary art: What happens when not only artworks but also their presentation, arrangement, and communication become the subject of an exhibition? From October 22 to November 22, 2026, the project combines artistic research, curatorial practice, and art-historical reflection.
Exhibiting as Artistic Practice
At the center are new works by students from various fields of the Visual Arts program. The works were specifically developed on the topic of exhibiting and investigate how spaces, lines of sight, materials, media, and institutional frameworks shape the perception of art. The exhibition atmosphere arises from the interplay of installation, video, object, documentary forms, and visual comments.
Historical Positions and Contemporary Art
Two historical positions expand the presentation. Marcel Duchamp's legendary Boîte-en-valise refers to the mobile collection, reproduction, and the question of how an artistic work changes its meaning through selection and presentation. Selected videos from Helke Bayrle's series Portikus under construction direct attention to institutional processes, spatial transformations, and the conditions of showing.
Curatorial Research in Kassel
An interview with Felix Vogel forms an important intellectual starting point. The focus is not on the final definition of the exhibition, but on exhibiting as a process, practice, and subject of research. A historical timeline of various attempts to document significant exhibitions and collections complements the artistic works. Other visual comments open a critical examination of the works and make the curation itself visible.
A Contribution to Exhibition Studies
The project developed by Martin Schmidl and Defne Kizilöz sees itself as an active contribution to a forming cluster for exhibition studies in Kassel. Since the founding of the documenta Institute, this field of research has gained increasing significance. The exhibition hall of the Kunsthochschule Kassel serves as a free testing and experimental field, where aesthetic experience, cultural education, and institutional self-reflection converge.
Participating Artists
The exhibition features Helke Bayrle, Linda Deuse, Marcel Duchamp, Nele Karnebogen, Nikolaj Lölke, Mani Lotfi, Paul Mayer, Marlon Meng, and Pia Sispela, also known as PMS. The diverse artistic positions navigate questions of collection, presentation, authorship, and visual communication.
Opening and Visiting
The opening takes place on October 21, 2026, at 6 PM. Martin Schmidl and Defne Kizilöz will speak. On Friday, October 23, 2026, the exhibition is open from 2 PM to 6 PM. The regular opening hours are from Thursday to Sunday, each from 2 PM to 6 PM.
Conclusion: An Exhibition About the Perspective on the Exhibition
State of Exhibition promises a concentrated art experience for all who not only want to view art but also understand its forms of presentation. The combination of student research, historical references, video, installation, and curatorial self-reflection makes the exhibition a relevant stop in Kassel's art and exhibition culture. Those who wish to experience the aesthetic experience of showing, arranging, and viewing should visit this exhibition live.
Official Channels of the Exhibition Hall Kunsthochschule Kassel:
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- Website: https://kunsthochschulekassel.de/
