LOVE LETTERS TO THE CITY
Curated by Michelle Houston
LOVE LETTERS TO THE CITY is a homage to the city and an invitation to rethink our urban environments and the role of art in shaping our collective experiences.
What changes can art initiate in public space? What are the methods and motivations behind creating work in public spaces, and what effect does this have on society?
This exhibition creates a framework to spark dialogue through art, beyond the confines of museum walls, with many works correlating to public space. We encourage you to re-examine public space, explore the streets, and rediscover your relationship with the city. The narratives of the city are present in the streets if you are open to seeing them.
The all-encompassing, constantly evolving urban environment has long been a playground and inspiration for artists. Graffiti, urban and contemporary art, installations, and interactive sculptures have enabled artists to reimagine cityscapes, blurring the lines between the social and political, the physical and conceptual realms. Beyond aesthetic inspiration, cityscapes have encouraged artists to reflect on urban challenges and envision a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future. Themes of urbanization, gentrification, environmental degradation, and social inequality prevail, prompting critical discussion that can lead to positive change.
The street is a stage where public life is performed. Arguably, the street is now a gallery. Where is the interface between art and daily living? How do institutions create dialogue through art that transcends just pretty pictures and technique?
Featuring works by over fifty artists in the fields of graffiti and urban and contemporary art, the nine chapters of the exhibition are: CITY AS MUSE, KILROY WAS HERE, WORD ON THE STREET, LET’S TALK ABOUT GENTRIFICATION, SUBVERTED SPACES, SPACE HACKING, NOT ANOTHER PRETTY PICTURE, DE-CONSTRUCT TO CONSTRUCT, and LOVE LETTERS IN THE CITY.
The nine chapters of the exhibition expand into the city through various murals and participatory actions. This approach aligns with the Berliner Leben Foundation's mission to support the enormous potential of art as a vehicle for cultural education and participation in the sense of social neighborhood development.
Welcome
Dear visitors, welcome to the URBAN NATION Museum.
The URBAN NATION Museum opened its doors in 2017. Since then it has been a vibrant center for urban contemporary art in Berlin.
Urban contemporary art – what is it actually? This fascinating art movement is characterized by its engagement with the urban landscape and its often temporary nature. It can be found in public spaces and urban environments and is given a stage in galleries and museums.
This art form is alive and evolves constantly, shaped by a wide variety of influences addressing social, political, ecological, historical, and cultural issues. It serves as a form of activism or commentary, and reflects the dynamics of city life. It is independent in nature and always ready to break new ground.
Today we invite you to discover our exhibition LOVE LETTERS TO THE CITY, curated by Michelle Houston. Let these works inspire you and experience the city through the eyes of the artists. We hope you enjoy your visit to the URBAN NATION Museum and the LOVE LETTERS TO THE CITY exhibition!
INFORMATION
Please be considerate of others and listen to audio directly to your ear or with headphones.
Introduction
LOVE LETTERS TO THE CITY is a homage to the city and an invitation to explore our urban environments from a new perspective. The exhibition questions the role of art – in forming and viewing urban space and in shaping our collective experiences.
How does art change our view on public space? What changes can art initiate in the city? What methods do artists use to achieve these changes? And last but not least, what impact can art have on social developments?
The street is a rich source of inspiration for graffiti, street art, sculpture, installations and interactive works of art. It is a playground for artists, and in a way it has even become their gallery. But where is the interface between art and everyday life? Issues such as gentrification, environmental destruction and social inequality are strongly represented in urban art. This raises the question of how art can be used to create positive awareness and provide an impulse for change.
The exhibition LOVE LETTERS TO THE CITY creates a space that extends beyond the walls of the museum, drawing a direct connection to the urban landscape. It is a space for dialog, shared thought and discussion. Art can help us rethink our own relationship to the city. Are you ready to open your eyes and mind to the city's narratives and to experience something entirely new?
The exhibition LOVE LETTERS TO THE CITY presents works by more than fifty artists in nine chapters, which provides an expansive view of art through the eyes of our curator Michelle Houston. The foundation Berliner Leben has interpreted the artworks within her curation and presents you with a diverse selection of fourteen artists. Get ready for exciting new impressions from the wide field of urban contemporary art.
INFORMATION
Rather read than listen? There is a transcript for each audio track.
