Hamburger Bahnhof

Annika Kahrs

A large outdoor projection of a glowing, sun-like circle in deep shades of red, orange and yellow on the façade of an industrial building by the water, with the word ‘other’ in the centre. The surrounding area features graffiti, industrial facilities and a harbour crane at dusk.

Annika Kahrs, how to live in the echo of other places, 2022, Installation view video projection, Hamburg, Courtesy Annika Kahrs and Produzentengalerie Hamburg

Photo: Helge Mundt

Berlin-based artist Annika Kahrs presents the most comprehensive selection of her works to date at Hamburger Bahnhof, exploring the intersection of art and music. Kahrs investigates the cultural and social functions of music: in an abandoned church in Lyon, at the parade of a cross-generational orchestra in an Italian village or in Berlin department stores.

The exhibition at Hamburger Bahnhof creates resonant spaces through video and sound installations in the East Wing and historical passageways, as well as live performances “For Two To Play On One” (2012) in the Forum Hamburger Bahnhof, continuously surprising visitors as they move through the museum. The exhibition features more than ten video works, sound installations, and performances from the past 15 years, displayed in selected locations throughout Hamburger Bahnhof, at Musikinstrumenten-Museum and in public space.

Annika Kahrs (born 1984 in Achim, Germany) explores the boundaries of what is commonly understood as music in her artistic practice. Her performances, films, and sound installations highlight the significance of music and sound—acoustic information—within various social, cultural, and political structures. Kahrs has exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the 16th Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art (2022); LAXART, Los Angeles (2021); Flat Time House, London (2019); Savvy Contemporary, Berlin (2018); Hamburger Kunsthalle (among others, 2017); the 5th Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art (2015); KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin (2012); Bienal Internacional de Curitiba, Brazil (2013); and the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany, Bonn (2011). She has received numerous awards and grants, including the Villa Aurora residency in Los Angeles (2023) and the George Maciunas Prize (2012), established by René Block.

The exhibition is curated by Ingrid Buschmann, curator at Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart.

The exhibition is made possible by the FREUNDE der Nationalgalerie. In cooperation with Musikinstrumenten-Museum SIM PK. With support by LIMES Media GmbH.

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