Golden tanks in public space: think of art and war again

Golden tanks in public space: think of art and war again

In the Bavarian art landscape, a remarkable project to deal with the topic of war is started. The exhibition series "War Aspects" offers a platform for various artists from August 28 to October 5 who want to stimulate thought about the war with their work. Art is presented in different places in Bavaria that illuminates the many facets and effects of conflicts.

A remarkable installation that is shown in this series is "Golden Tanks" by the artist Peter Kees. This project is gold -colored toy tanks, which are to be placed in unconventional locations in order to attract attention. Kees explains: "War is always a business, you shouldn't forget that." In this way, the connection between war and profit is discussed by the weapons industry. The question arises: Who ultimately wins through the wars - the nations, individuals or rather do it?

provocative installations and discussions

The selection of the places for installing the toy tanks is just as important as their design. Kees attaches great importance to the fact that the tanks are placed in places, "where they don't actually belong". The goal is to surprise passers -by and stimulate thought. It is also interesting to have a difficulty with which Kees was confronted: he didn't find it easy to get the required toy tanks. A business made it clear to him that the production of these toys has been stopped since the beginning of the Ukraine War, which underlines the absurdity and reality of war.

The first food for thought in the series comes from David Adams, who starts on August 28 with his work "Tabula Phrasa" in Grafenwöhr, a place with a nearby US troop training area. His work addresses the meaning and use of words in connection with war, and provokes the audience with a wood sculpture that can be changed. Adams encourages you to think about how our perception of war forms through language. An essential topic because the war in different parts of the world is still a growing threat.

The scope of the exhibition extends over several cities in Bavaria and offers the opportunity to experience artistic perspectives on current conflicts. Each work of art illuminates a specific aspect of the war, be it the geographical proximity to military conflicts, the fragility of peace or the challenges of free expression in times of change from democratic systems. These are topics that affect not only artists, but also society and politics.

art as a mirror of society

artist Peter Kees sees art as an important part of reflection on social challenges. In his opinion, art and culture are required to offer perspectives that go beyond daily reporting in the media. "There are a lot of questions associated with these wars that somehow affect us all," says Kees. This underlines the role of art as a catalyst for discussions and social disputes.

The works of art in the "War Aspects" series bring light on a variety of topics and are supported by the promotion of the Bavarian State Ministry for Science and Art. This official support shows the importance and value of such initiatives in the current situation. In addition to Peters Kees' "Golden Tanks", works by other artists such as Mads Lynnerup and Manaf Malbouni are part of the series that make their own unique contribution to the topic and take up the questions of war in a creative way.

Through these artistic interventions in public space, the "War Aspects" series in Bavaria wants to initiate new approaches and discussions on the subject of war. In view of the recurring conflicts worldwide, it is more important than ever that art acts as a medium in order to raise awareness and stimulate thinking.

social context of the art project

The exhibition "War Aspects" comes at a time when war and military conflicts in the world are still an urgent topic. The Ukraine conflict, which has lasted since 2014, not only strengthened geopolitical tensions, but also draws the public's attention to the humanitarian consequences of wars. In this context, art is not only a means of reflection, but also a tool in conversation about peace, violence and the role of states and companies in armed conflicts.

In addition, the support of the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and Art shows how important cultural projects are viewed in dealing with social issues. This Greenlight can be seen as a sign that art can make a significant contribution to political and social discourses. According to a study by the German UNESCO Commission, art contributes to the promotion of critical thinking and the development of empathy and understanding that are of central importance in times of war.

art as a mirror of society

In times of increased tensions that the Ukraine war and other conflicts in the world create, the role of art as a social mirror becomes clearer. The interventions in "War Aspects" try to raise awareness of the real and often brutal effects of wars through provocative installations. Art has the ability to simplify complex topics and bring closer to the audience at an emotional level.

The choice of toy tankers as a symbol of the arms industry and the war illustrates how far the effects of conflicts are - and not only on a political, but also on a personal level. The use of such children's motifs in a serious context can make viewers think about their own childhood memories and the reality of violence and war. Artists like Kees aim to think about pictorial and metaphorical representations and to promote social dialogue about peace and consequences of war.

Together, these artistic interventions testify to the powerful connection between art and society and illustrate how important it is to find creative and meaningful ways today to think about war and peace.