Education and Mediation

Panel discussion: Black Perspectives in Art and Culture Production

Thursday, Jan 16, 2025, 7 pm – 8.30 pm

With the solo exhibition of US-American artist Melvin Edwards, the Fridericianum presents an important position in contemporary art. His works evoke thoughts, feelings, and images that are linked to that historical context of the United States of America, from which the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s emerged. Therefore, they can be read as an expression of a political engagement—a protest against racial injustice that has not lost its urgency in the present day. With reference to numerous places, people and experiences, his works are critical reflections of the past, but at the same time also bear a message directed towards the present and the future.

In the context of the exhibition, the panel discussion brings together Black cultural practitioners to highlight challenges, chances and potentials of a stronger integration of realities of Black life. In this way, it ties in with subjects reflected in Edwards’s work. The discussion addresses problems such as structural discrimination, racism, and a lack of representation, but also the creative opportunities to enrich and transform art and culture production through the inclusion of Black voices. The ultimate goal is to develop strategies for a lasting strengthening of participation and visibility of Black artists and cultural practitioners.

With Carla de Andrade Hurst (Media cultural scientist, trained stage dancer and dramaturge for contemporary dance/dance theater, Managing Director of ISD – Initiative Schwarzer Menschen in Deutschland Bund e.V.), Gabriela Exner (Cultural educator, ISD – Initiative Schwarzer Menschen in Deutschland Bund e.V.), Faisal Osman (Curator, Black Community Foundation Stuttgart e.V.), and Franciska Renate Petsch (Social scientist, Afrikanischer Dachverband Norddeutschland e.V.)
Concept and moderation: David Zabel (Education activist, chairman Culture Advisory Board of the city Kassel, ISD – Initiative Schwarzer Menschen in Deutschland Bund e.V.)
Introduction: Moritz Wesseler (Director, Fridericianum)

Language: German. Admission is free. No registration required.