Cohabitation

Pandemics and natural catastrophes have laid bare the human-driven crisis of climate change and dwindling biodiversity. In the project “Cohabitation” the central but ambivalent role that cities play in the destruction of our planet’s environment serves as the starting point to rethink how humans and non-human organisms can coexist in urban environments. The project examines how the combination of art, science, architecture and urban planning can offer new approaches for designing the city of the future – a city where non-human life forms are assigned a significant role and where solidarity-minded cohabitation is possible.

The project addresses the subject of urban cohabitation through various interconnected formats. An exhibition at the silent green Kulturquartier in Berlin divides the human-animal relationship in the city into three key perspectives: “Anthropocity”, “Eco City” and “Zoopolis”. In combination with historical photos and original documents, each section features artistic works which explore the complex relationship between animals and humans, such as the interactive documentary by Ann Sophie Lindström entitled “Don’t fence me in” that portrays a horse-riding club for black teenagers from poor, crime-ridden neighbourhoods in Philadelphia. Several international partners including the Goethe-Institut Côte d'Ivoire, the Kunstraum Innsbruck and the Architectural Association London are developing local case studies and design experiments which will be incorporated into the exhibition. Inter-species model environments are being investigated at various locations in Berlin, such as the Spreepark, the silent green and the Floating University. City tours, live performances, film screenings and discussions are planned, along with an event series which shall bring together visionaries, activists, artists and experts from the areas of animal rights, environmental protection, biology, architecture and urban development.

Artistic directors: Marion von Osten*, Christian Hiller, Alexandra Nehmer, Anh-Linh Ngo, Peter Spillmann

Participants: Fahim Amir, Animali Domestici, Club Real, Theo Deutinger, Cyprien Gaillard, Krõõt Juurak & Alex Bailey, Faiza Ahmad Khan & Hanna Rullmann, Ann Sophie Lindström, Maissa Maatouk, Urban Fauna Lab and others

*Marion von Osten has initiated the project. Alongside the curatorial team she developed the conception and selected the participating artists. Marion von Osten passend away in November 2020. This project is dedicated to her.