Electric light has long been regarded as the epitome of human progress. However, the fact that it also raises darker sides is shown by the Wolfsburg Art Museum from 12 March in the exhibition Power! Light! The title gives an idea of the aspects of light on which the event will focus - an unconventional light art show whose content is not lacking in political messages.
From 12 March, the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg will be devoting itself to the many facets of artificial light. The exhibition Power! Light! explores the changing significance of light for mankind - »from Plato's allegory of the sun and the beginning of Christianity with its hope for a world to the invention of electric light«, light is not always to be seen as progress. Under the euphemism »white torture«, it also functions as a method of torture.
Light pollution and energy wastagfre are concepts of modern times that the museum brings into focus with this exhibition. Power! Light! presents artistic positions that critically comment on the use of light with regard to resources. The exhibition thus differs from other light art shows that have tried to accommodate all kinds of works in which electric light is used. It literally illuminates socio-political pairs of meanings such as violence and power, control and surveillance, utopia and dystopia or advertising and manipulation. Among the positions represented are Monica Bonvicini, Damien Hirst, Joseph Beuys, Tatsuo Miyajima, Siegrun Appelt and Naneci Yurdagül.
As a prologue to the large indoor exhibition, a 16-metre light installation by the artist Alfredo Jaar can be seen on the façade of the State Representation of Lower Saxony in Berlin (In den Ministergärten 10) from 12 March. Power! Light! runs until 10 July at the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg.
With the exhibition Hanns Kunitzberger: Likeness 2002-2005, the Hamburger Kunsthalle is presenting the multi-part work of the same name by the Austrian artist. The multi-layered, abstract paintings have a magnetic effect on viewers. The exhibition opens on November 29.
In a major exhibition with over 150 exhibits, the Tate Modern sheds light on the beginnings of optical, kinetic and digital art. From November 28, the works of numerous renowned artists will be on display in Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet in London.
