From my perspective, the ‘space’ where an artwork is exhibited has a profound impact on how the work is perceived. In the context of my idea to exhibit in a restaurant like Handelshof, the space mirrors the intersection of culture, history, and everyday life. It reflects the region’s strong food culture, where people gather not just to eat but to connect socially, and it provides an opportunity to bring art to an audience that might not visit traditional galleries. This setting encourages me to think about how art can integrate into people’s daily lives and spark unexpected moments of reflection. It fosters questions about accessibility, cultural habits, and the blending of art and community.
Exhibiting in a space like this does raise potential ethical issues. For example, the historical background of Handelshof brings up questions of privilege, status, and the portrayal of gender roles, especially given its association with Margarethe Perl. There’s also the challenge of balancing the commercial nature of the space with the integrity of the work. How do I ensure that my art isn’t overshadowed by the dining experience, or that its message isn’t diluted? To navigate this, I would consider ways to make the work actively engage with the space—for instance, drawing connections between the restaurant’s history, the local culture, and the themes in my art. I could also collaborate with the restaurant to educate the audience through artist talks or written explanations that frame the work in context.
I believe this exhibition could open up new and meaningful dialogues for me, the work, and the audience. It allows me to reflect on my identity and personal journey, including my experiences as a Russian artist living in Germany during a complex political time. It also invites the audience to engage with art in a familiar and relaxed environment, potentially sparking conversations about topics like migration, belonging, and cultural exchange. Ultimately, the restaurant setting creates an opportunity for deeper connections, both personal and communal, and challenges me to think about how art can exist beyond the confines of traditional spaces.
Here are some ideas and debates – brainstorming with Chat GPT:
1. Cultural Context and Accessibility
Inclusivity: How does exhibiting in a restaurant invite audiences who might not visit traditional galleries? Could this setting create a more casual or democratic approach to engaging with art?
Cultural norms: In Saarland, where food culture ("Hauptsach, Gudd Gess") plays a central role, could this exhibition reinforce or challenge cultural habits?
2. Ethical Issues Around History
The building’s past: Handelshof's connection to Margarethe Perl, and her role as the mistress of a prince, raises questions about gender, power, and societal roles. Could the art subtly explore these themes or question how women have been historically portrayed or valued? (I believe this is far beyond my current interests and ideas)
Colonial or aristocratic histories: Is there a way to engage with or critique the broader socio-economic history connected to spaces like Handelshof, which may have ties to privilege and status?
3. Art and Commercial Spaces
Art versus commerce: How does placing art in a restaurant blur the lines between cultural expression and consumerism? Could this setting undermine the perceived seriousness of the work, or does it make art more approachable?
Viewer expectations: Visitors may come for dining, not art. How do you manage their engagement and ensure your message comes across effectively? (This question is really relevant.)
4. Political and Social Identity
War and identity: Your identity as a Russian artist in Germany, in the context of the ongoing war with Ukraine, could provoke complex reactions. How do you address these tensions sensitively without polarizing your audience?
Themes of migration and belonging: Your journey across countries and your changing identity could resonate with audiences in a multicultural space like Saarland. Could your work open up conversations about migration, home, and cultural exchange?
5. Ethics of the Restaurant Setting
Environmental concerns: If the restaurant has practices or policies around sustainability, could you align your art with these themes, such as focusing on recycling or material reuse?
Consumer ethics: Could there be tension between the artwork's message and the luxury or exclusivity of the restaurant?
6. The Role of the Artist
Engaging new audiences: How do you balance creating meaningful work while making it accessible to people who may not be familiar with contemporary art?
Community dialogue: How can the exhibition foster discussion or connection between the local community and the art?
Focusing on my journey and evolution as an artist can be a good idea for introducing myself to the audience and positioning myself as a curator for future exhibitions. I can plan it this way:
Exhibition Title: "Search of Yourself: An Artistic Journey" (not really a good one … but will think in this direction) or "Fragments of Belonging"
Exhibition Structure:
Firs idea.
Introduction: Roots and Beginnings
Works from time in Russia, with classical training, attention to detail, and technical foundation.
Themes: tradition, discipline, and local aesthetics.
Possible works: Academic figure studies, still lifes, landscapes reflecting classical techniques.
Interpretation: This time was the grounding phase of my artistic identity.
Cultural Exchange: São Paulo, Brazil
Art pieces are influenced by Brazilian culture, and colours, breaking the old stereotypes, and experimenting.
Themes: energy, vibrancy, and breaking free from standards and rigidity.
Possible works: Abstract or semi-abstract explorations using bright colours and textures.
Interpretation: immersion in Brazilian life changed my perception of art and expression.
New Perspectives: China
Works inspired by Chinese philosophy, culture, and language. Minimalism, calligraphy and traditional techniques.
Themes: balance, restraint, and rethinking space and emptiness.
Possible works: Ink drawings, calligraphy, and traditional school.
Interpretation: time in China taught me to see simplicity and complexity as interconnected.
Arrival and Transformation: Germany
Works from corona time – and synaesthesia, and Temporary Permanence exploring themes of temporality, materiality and social engagement.
Themes: identity, transition, and engagement with contemporary issues (e.g., propaganda, media, or societal impact).
Possible works: colour fields, oil paintings, textured colour fields, photography.
Interpretation: my current exploration of self and place in a globalized, interconnected world.
Second idea.
Inviting Visitors to my “Inner House” reference to the house of Margarethe Perl
Thematic Rooms: I can use the building's history to shape the flow of my exhibition. Each room could reflect a part of my identity or artistic evolution:
§ Entrance Hall: "Threshold" – Artworks exploring transitions, borders, or beginnings (e.g., early works). Russian period
§ Sleeping Room: "Dreams and Memory" – Personal, introspective works tied to longing, belonging, and transformation. Brazil
§ Dining Room: "Consumption" – Pieces reflecting cultural exchange, media narratives, and the "consumption" of identity in modern times. China
§ Living Room: "Community and Reflection" – Recent works exploring external forces (affect) and internal reflection (gut feeling), social identity, and my future in Saarland and Germany.
Furniture and Objects:
I might arrange furniture-like elements (e.g., old chairs, tables, or frames) to reinforce the theme of the "home" and rooms.
I can include symbolic objects like newspapers, maps, or belongings from my travels to reflect the layered, fragmented nature of identity.
The use of the grandeur of the space (e.g., chandeliers or ornate details) as a backdrop for contrasting works on fragility, temporality, and modern identity.
Historical Touchpoints: Incorporating references to Margarethe Perl (perhaps as symbolic gestures or in placards) to connect her presence with my own - both women navigating identity and power in specific cultural contexts.
Additional Elements to Strengthen the Exhibition:
Curatorial Role Introduction: I will dedicate a small section (on a wall or brochure) to introduce my future curatorial vision. Mentioning “The Art of Taste” and how I plan to connect art and gastronomy, inviting audiences to see art as essential to life.
Promotional Material: I need a short video introducing myself (as an artist and curator?), and the exhibition’s concept.
Flyers or small menus with QR codes linking to my website with further reading about my artistic practice.
Essays publication: I might consider publishing on my website previous Essays about synaesthesia (The Critical Review. Synaesthesia – meaning for art Read here: https://www.marinawittemann.com/post/the-critical-review-synaesthesia-meaning-for-art ), identity and war (Contemporary Art, Killing The Inner Fascist Read here: https://www.marinawittemann.com/post/critical-review-contemporary-art-killing-the-inner-fascist ) and social engagement (In What Ways Can I Challenge Established Norms and Perceptions Through My Artworks to Disrupt Potential Complacency and Inspire Transformative Action on a Visceral Level? Read here: https://www.marinawittemann.com/post/in-what-ways-can-i-challenge-established-norms-and-perceptions-through-my-artworks-to-disrupt-potent).
Timeline & Steps:
Works: I need to review the portfolio and choose key pieces mix of 10–15 works,
And create digital mockups to visualize how they will look in the restaurant space.
Content: I will write descriptions for each section of my journey. Including personal stories or reflections that connect the work to its context.
Installation: With the restaurant we will plan the layout, considering lighting and spatial arrangements. Rails or non-invasive mounting systems to protect the walls.
Opening: Opening the event with a short speech explaining my concept and my curatorial vision. I will invite the art critic who will reflect on my exhibition. Probably we will offer a small tasting menu (foie gras with chocolate as I see for both colours) to connect with the restaurant's identity and my synaesthesia.
Promotion: Social media, local press, and networks to invite a wide audience. Highlighting the exhibition as the beginning of a series, we will invite visitors to stay tuned for future events.
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