Hoffnung als Provokation

Hope has always prompted people to act. With an exhibition and an international literature symposium, KULTUM Graz sets out in search of ways of harnessing the resistant potential of hope.

“The horizon of hope has narrowed.” This was philosopher Judith Butler’s comment on Donald Trump’s election as US president, and it seems appropriate to interpret this dictum as a fundamental analysis of the current western condition. Cultural theorist Thomas Macho even goes so far as to talk about “postapocalyptic science fiction“ to describe the everyday reality in media and social networks. Rarely have we seen so much crisis-laden eventfulness.

KULTUM Graz searches for alternatives to this apocalyptic mood. The exhibition and literature symposium are founded on the conviction that hope remains a powerful force today, one that we need more than ever before. Would people still fight unlawful regimes, would they flee from life-threatening circumstances if there were no hope any more? In their current works, new texts and interventions, contemporary artists and writers from across the world explore what needs to be done in view of increasing nationalist movements, authoritarian systems and the continuing spread of pernicious neoliberal ideology. Is there still room for hope? For hope that is not naive but resistant?

Kuratorin / Kurator: Alois Kölbl
Kuratorin / Kurator: Johannes Rauchenberger
Künstlerin / Künstler / Gruppe: Michael Endlicher
Künstlerin / Künstler / Gruppe: Jochen Höller
Künstlerin / Künstler / Gruppe: Michael Kos
Künstlerin / Künstler / Gruppe: Resanita
Künstlerin / Künstler / Gruppe: Tom Schmelzer