BETTER PLACE?! examines the social and political conditions of artistic freedom. While freedom of artistic expression is protected as a fundamental right in democratic societies, it remains precarious in many places and must continually be renegotiated. Around the world, artists risk their livelihoods when they draw attention to social injustices, political conflicts, or utopian visions.

The exhibition asks about the political agency of art: Can art change social reality? Where are the limits of artistic freedom? When do exhibitions themselves become the subject of political conflict, and which means are considered legitimate in such disputes? The participating positions explore the relationship between artistic freedom, the public sphere, and social responsibility.

Artists: Sven Bergelt, Fehras Publishing Practices, Friendly Fire, Nina Fischer / Maroan el Sani, Matthias Wermke / Mischa Leinkauf

The exhibition took place in Galerie Kub Leipzig, as part of the project Mythos Freiheit // 2: GEIST, initiated by Cinémathèque Leipzig.

Supported by: German Federal Cultural Foundation, Cultural Foundation of the Free State of Saxony, Fonds Darstellende Künste

Photo 1: Work by Nina Fischer / Maroan el Sani
Photo 2: Work by Friendly Fire
Photo 3: Work by Fehras Publishing Practices
Photo 4: Work by Matthias Wermke / Mischa Leinkauf