Despite the highest number of CSD parades worldwide in 2024 and a more open attitude towards LGBTQIA* people in some countries, violence and aggression against queer people continues to increase. In 2023 alone, 542 cases of hate crime against sexual orientation and/or gender identity or gender diversity were reported in Berlin. These figures are rising every year in Germany, Europe and worldwide.
The exhibition project focuses on the question of the extent to which photography can influence processes of social change and how the selected photographic positions can provide answers to this through their conception.
In order to overcome the power relationship of photography and to depict the realities of life respectfully and without the outsider’s view of the “other”, the exhibition will primarily show works by photographers from the LGBTIQA* community. These positions offer current perspectives on socially relevant LGBTIQA* topics and ensure that no appropriation of other people’s topics takes place.
The starting point for the project will be a classic presence exhibition from 22.8.-31.10.2025 in Berlin.
In order to support the dialog on the socio-political topic and to achieve a radiance beyond the exhibition through interaction, artist talks, workshops and an online and in-house panel talk are planned as an educational program.
Initiators:
Nora Bibel and Marcus Höhn, both represented by laif and members of the laif cooperative
https://nora-bibel.de/
https://marcus-hoehn.de/
11 Participants:
laif photographers and photographers outside of laif who deal with queer topics.
Galerie Nord | Kunstverein Tiergarten is a central institution for international art and culture in the Moabit district of the Mitte borough of Berlin. Its focus is on the presentation and mediation of contemporary art with innovative, critical and socially relevant potential. Kunstverein Tiergarten has been nominated for the ADKV-ART COLOGNE Prize for Art Associations 2024.
https://kunstverein-tiergarten.de/
Accompanying event
One highlight is the high-profile panel talk on the topic of “Society’s treatment of the LGBTIQ* movement as an indicator of the state of democracy?”.
The event with experts such as Alfonso Pantisano (Queer Commissioner of the State of Berlin) and queer personalities from politics, culture, literature and art will be streamed live on YouTube and Instagram. A targeted marketing campaign on social media and in out-of-home media will reach as many people as possible across Germany.
