Romanticism

The exhibition project “Romanticism” by the Kunsthalle Osnabrück has highlighted the parallels between historical and contemporary Romanticism and investigated the return of romantic imagery and language as a symptom of current turmoil in society. The project also referred to the symbolism of dark Romanticism, which the right-wing scene has appropriated and misused for its own political purposes.

The Kunsthalle Osnabrück had invited international artists to defend liberal society by creating a pseudo-romantic counter-narrative. For example, the British artist duo Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings have portrayed queer bars in paintings and videos as cosy, romantic, community-building gathering places. The comics illustrator Anna Haifisch presented her first-ever installation based on her character “The Artist” which explores the contemporary art scene in reference to post-romantic songs and texts.

The pedagogical team at the Kunsthalle Osnabrück has accompanied the exhibition with a romantic compilation of Osnabrück’s queer history and stories. In addition a research brochure for visitors, a digital conference and an accompanying introductory seminar at the University of Osnabrück were created. 

Artistic directors: Anne Jehle, Juliane Schickedanz
Curators: Manila Bartnik, Anna Jehle, Anja Lückenkemper, Juliane Schickedanz, Christel Schulte
Artists: Anna Haifisch, Rosie Hastings/Hannah Quinlan, Gabriella Hirst, Irène Mélix, Cemile Sahin, the Forum for Democratic Culture and Contemporary Art and others

Exhibition and education programme, Romantik Osnabrück: Kunsthalle Osnabrück, Osnabrück: 25 Jun. 2022 – 31 July 2023