In collaboration with the International Summer Festival 2023 held at Kampnagel in Hamburg, the Hamburger Kunsthalle is presenting a unique project by Lebanese-American artist Walid Raad. The Hamburg Chapter represents an adaptation of Raad’s earlier exhibition, Cotton Under My Feet, showcased at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid (2021/2022). This new incarnation involves a curated journey through the original building of the Kunsthalle, guiding visitors through an array of artistic encounters.
Pigmented archival inkjet print / Pigmentierter Archiv-Inkjet-Druck Courtesy: Sfeir-Semler Gallery Hamburg / Beirut, © Walid Raad
Initiating with the Old Masters, this intervention intricately interlaces artworks from the permanent collection with carefully chosen objects and Raad’s own artistic creations. These encompass artefacts purportedly sourced from the museum’s storage repository, as well as thought-provoking video installations. The central focus of this presentation is to illuminate historically significant details and facts regarding the Kunsthalle’s collection development. These insights are skillfully woven together with contemporary events, drawing attention to the nuanced connections between politics, diplomacy, and pivotal historical moments. This narrative unfurls a tapestry that merges reality and fiction, casting an entirely fresh perspective on the historical trajectory of the Hamburger Kunsthalle.
In 1992, Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, the possessor of one of the globe’s largest private art collections, transported his remarkable assemblage to Spain. Hamburg had previously been considered as a potential home for his collection, with the aspiration of reuniting the artistic twins “Easter Morning” and “Early Snow,” both painted by Caspar David Friedrich, within the walls of the Hamburger Kunsthalle. Although this reunion did not come to fruition, the Baron did bestow several other artworks upon Hamburg. Notably, these selections included some profoundly unconventional pieces that had remained unseen by the public until Walid Raad expressed his desire to showcase them. Within this artistic realm, historical and fictional domains converge, unveiling enigmatic cloud formations on the reverse sides of certain Old Master paintings, ornate goblets attracting specific arthropod species, and angelic figures painted mid-restoration.
On designated dates during the exhibition, Walid Raad himself will lead visitors on exclusive performance tours (approximately 80 minutes) through the Kunsthalle’s diverse collection. Beyond these special tours, visitors can embark on a captivating journey guided by Raad’s narratives and interpretations via an audio tour, accessible through the Hamburger Kunsthalle app. For those seeking deeper insights, a comprehensive booklet in both German and English, offering an introduction to the exhibition, is readily accessible without charge.
About Walid Raad
Born in Chbanieh, Lebanon in 1967, Walid Raad currently resides in New York, where he imparts his knowledge as a faculty member at The Cooper Union. His artistic journey has encompassed significant milestones, with notable participation in Documenta 11 and 13, alongside solo exhibitions hosted by institutions such as the Museo Thyssen Bornemisza in Madrid, the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the Louvre in Paris, and MOMA in New York.
Raad’s artistic prowess has resulted in his works becoming integral components of various international art collections. Notably, his artworks have found their place within the prestigious archives of MOMA in New York, the TATE Modern in London, Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, MUMOK (Museum Moderner Kunst) in Vienna, and the Hamburger Kunsthalle.
Location: Hamburger Kunsthalle
Date: 10 August 2023 – 12 November 2023