die Wissen

In German grammar, the article determines the gender, number, and case of a noun. The dictionary says “das Wissen” (knowledge) can only be used in the singular and with a neuter article, implying the idea of a neutral canon. A canon that differentiates between right and wrong. Something to be assimilated, memorized, and then reproduced when needed. People with multiple belongings, longings, and varied horizons of experience know more than that; they embody and live their knowledges (die Wissen) of different situations and environments. They inhabit multiple selves and can feel through them simultaneously as a result of having had to continuously learn how knowledge is bound to place, situation, and context. Their lived experience tells them that what is right and wrong cannot be answered in the same way everywhere, with every person, and in every moment. Knowledges manifest physically. They are inscr bed, sometimes reconciling and sometimes antagonistically, but always present.

The show die Wissen is the second part of the TAXISPALAIS trilogy on togetherness tackling the overarching question of how we can discuss and practice discourses of multiple belongings more adequately in Western Europe. The trilogie’s third part is on view at TAXISPALAIS under the title Ich bin anders, weil ich kann das. Stranger belongs to me through January 21, 2024.

With contributions by Nooshin Askari, Hiwa K, Michelle & Noel Keserwany, Elif Saydam, Vina Yun mit Moshtari Hilal.
Curated by Setareh Shahbazi & Nina Tabassomi

die Wissen is a takeover of the eponymous TAXISPALAIS exhibition.

Events:

Friday, December 15, 2023, from 6 p.m.
Opening of the exhibition

Saturday, December 16, 2023, 3 p.m. (de)
nGbK am Alex
Guided tour with the curators

Friday, January 12, 2024
nGbK am Alex

5:30 p.m. (de/en)
Guided tour with the curators

7 p.m. (de)
EsRAP in conversation with Setareh Shahbazi and Nina Tabassomi

In the context of the exhibition die Wissen, Esra Özmen (EsRAP) will be in conversation with the curators. EsRAP, the Viennese hip-hop duo Esra and Enes Özmen, combine German, Turkish and Arabic in their lyrics and transform these languages poetically. Their videos are part of the third chapter of the TAXISPALAIS trilogy on togetherness that is currently on view in Innsbruck. The title of the exhibi­tion Ich bin anders, weil ich kann das quotes a line from the song Yalla Habibi, in which EsRAP solemnly assert their multiple affiliations. In their music videos, EsRAP bring forth complex forms of musical, linguistic and visual belonging, thereby enabling a sense of community and a political imagination for all of us.

Sunday, January 14, 2024, 4 p.m. (de/en)
nGbK am Alex
Guided tour with the curators (for nGbK members)

Friday, January 28, 2024, 3 p.m. (de)
nGbK am Alex
Guided tour with the curators

Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 5 p.m. (de/en)
nGbK am Alex
Workshop with the curators

A workshop by the two curators of the exhibition die Wissen, Setareh Shahbazi and Nina Tabassomi, will debate formats for sharing knowledges that go hand in hand with multiple belongings. Drawing on the artistic positions currently on display, the participants will read short text excerpts together and focus on discussing and confronting the texts with the exhibited works. To what extent can novels, poems, and theoretical approaches help us to understand the artworks? Are there common ways of articulating die Wissen in different genres?

Prior knowledge is not required for the workshop, and active participation is voluntary.

Thursday, February 8, 2024, 5 p.m. (de)
nGbK am Alex
Guided tour with Setareh Shahbazi

Saturday, February 17, 2024, 4 p.m. (de)
nGbK am Alex
Guided tour with Setareh Shahbazi