By the Sea

The Kunsthalle Wilhelmshaven presents a broad spectrum of artistic positions which explore the themes of nature and its bodies of water, and especially the ocean. This exhibition positions historical works of land art, performance art and minimal art in an entirely new light, presents lesser-known works from eastern Europe and engages these in vibrant dialogue with works by a younger generation of international artists. In addition to objects, photos, films and installations, most of which will be displayed at the museum, the project also includes live performances, re-enactments, boat tours and walking excursions along the beaches of Wilhelmshaven and Hooksiel. The project features works of land art and performative actions which refer to the seashore and water, such as the land art installations by Jüri Okas and Jan Dibbets, and the action “The Mirrored Sea” by Lumír Hladik. Young artists are also rediscovering nature as an art subject, focusing on environmental or natural scientific topics and activist perspectives. The project has invited a number of these younger artists, such as Ina Hagen from Norway, who will develop a new participative project in the landscape, and the Polish artist Cecylia Malik, whose “Sisters of the River” actions have sparked a social movement.
The exhibition will be preceded by a symposium, with which the Kunsthalle Wilhelmshaven hopes to cultivate stronger international ties and establish its focus on nature-related artistic projects. After its presentation in Wilhelmshaven, the exhibition will go on tour to Gdynia (Poland) and other cities still to be announced.

Artistic director: Petra Stegmann
Artists: Oddvar I.N. Daren, Ina Hagen, Lumír Hladik, Inghild Karlsen, Jiří Kovanda, Cecylia Malik, Jüri Okas, Mieko Shiomi, Petr Štembera, Ben Vautier