Opening: Hold me grieving

The only cure for grief is grieving – and that works the best when we hold each other and let ourselves be held. The exhibition hold me grieving investigates queer perspectives on grieving processes from personal grief to global grief up to transcendental grief. To be in transition or bidding farewell to heteronormative roles signifies not only the creation of identity but also the loss of identity: a loss of cis-identity, grief for the normative path through life that we will not take. Simultaneously, we grieve queer identities which, because of power imbalances, colonialism, far-right and fundamentalist policies and historiography, are made invisible. At the same time, we bring these works into the present and shed light on current developments in Ghana and Uganda, countries which recently passed homophobic laws. Considering the immensurable grief and powerlessness when facing current crises, wars and live-streamed genocides, we search for rituals with which we can commemorate those whose histories have been violently extinguished. Through sound and textile works, the exhibition creates a space for grieving rituals and collective reflection.

Curated by Sunny Pfalzer und Anna Ehrenstein

With works by Malab Alneel, Anna Ehrenstein, Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi (crazinisT artisT), Barbara Hammer, Alice Z Jones, MINQ, Sunny Pfalzer, Firas Shehadeh, Xenia Taniko ft. Colin Self, etaïnn zwer & P.A. Hülsenbeck

Vernissage and opening of Queer Week 2024 on 20/June 18:00
With an opening performance by Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi (crazinisT artisT)


As part of Queer Week 2024

Motive: Esra Rotthoff
Photo: Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi - Photo collaboration between Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi (crazinisT artisT) and Ashe Gardner (untitled)