15.05. – 10.08.2025

Opening: Wednesday, May 14, 6 p.m. in the presence of the artists

The group exhibition with young artists from Aachen, Düsseldorf and the surrounding area focuses on human life as a constant "in-between" - between different spaces, times, cultures, identities and perspectives. The focus is on the transitions, in-between spaces and areas of tension that characterize human existence.

Philosophical, artistic and social issues will be interlinked: How do we deal with spaces in between? Are they places of possibility or uncertainty? What creative, social and individual potential do they harbor - and where do they become a challenge?

"Da(zwischen-)sein" is the first group exhibition with young contemporary positions at the Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum in a long time, which Director Till-Holger Borchert is particularly pleased about. "The exhibition shows what we want to be in the future: a venue for young, contemporary artists. It is an exhibition that represents an 'in-between' in several respects. In terms of space and time, it stands between major exhibitions, and in terms of content it also serves to reflect on different positions, the question of identity and finding one's way."

With a selection of paintings, prints, installations, sculptural objects, ceramics and textile works, the artists* Aylin Ismihan Kabakci, Melike Kara, Sunyoeng Kim-Heinzel, Sina Yome Link, Janis Löhrer, Murat Önen, Eyad Sbeigh, Majd Suliman and Theresa Weber present individual perspectives on the "in-between".“and its complexity. The artists are each represented in the exhibition with three works.

Sena-Marie Cirit, the curator of the exhibition, emphasizes the heterogeneity of the exhibition with nine artists who interpret the theme of "being (in-between)" in very different ways: biographically, culturally, materially, diversely and also contradictorily. "Being 'in-between' is of a philosophical, artistic and social nature. In the philosophical tradition, the exhibition is particularly inspired by Hanna Arendt, who understands these 'in-between spaces' as 'spaces of possibility'. The hanging and the rooms themselves as 'passage rooms' create their own 'in-between spaces' that are filled," says Cirit. The presentation is expressly not a series of individual positions, but rather a dialog between different aesthetic languages, media and motifs.

The works reflect the complexity of social processes, the fluidity of identity and question empty spaces. Participatory elements invite visitors to enter and participate in various interstitial spaces. In this sense, the exhibition sees itself not only as a presentation of artistic works, but also as an invitation to engage with what takes place between things, times and people and to allow new perspectives on the collection. For there are numerous connections to the collection of the Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum.

"The museum is a place that is open to everyone, where different opinions are negotiated and different positions are discussed. The museum functions as a place of tolerance and togetherness, where social rifts can ideally be patched up. It's great that this exhibition can make a contribution to this," explains Director Borchert.

The exhibition can be seen in the foyer, fireplace room (ground floor) and Kupferstichkabinett (1st floor) of the museum.

A multilingual exhibition booklet will be published to accompany the exhibition. In addition to the opening on Wednesday, May 14, at 6 p.m., many other events will take place:

International Museum Day: Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Multilingual events:
Guided tour and workshop "German and Ukrainian": Sunday, June 22, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Guided tour and workshop "German and Arabic": Sunday, July 27, 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Artist Talk: Saturday, June 14, 6 p.m.

Poetry Slam: Friday, June 27, 7 p.m.

Expert discussion: Thursday, July 3, 6:30 p.m.

Performance and talk afterwards: Friday, July 25, 7 p.m.

Final opening: Sunday, August 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Curator of the exhibition: Sena-Marie Cirit