Resistance through transgression means never having to say you’re sorry. That’s the convoluted premise behind the group exhibition at Berlin’s most internationally focused institution as it continues its mission to challenge perceptions of global and local injustices. It’s all done with flair and genuine consideration, but you need to steel yourself before entering. The commitment! The concentration!
Blending the personal with the political, the exhibition entwines works like Tanja Ostojić’s mellifluous swimming tapestry with Ahlam Shibli’s photographic exploration of the concept of home, from occupied Palestine to migrant communities in Germany.
The HKW building looks terrific on the outside but hideously formulaic inside, with a vast foyer that even manages to swallow up Babá Murah’s intricate fabric altars. You immediately feel the difference in the revamped interior of the Beatriz Nascimento Hall, where Dorothy Iannone’s erotic provocations darkly shine.
With large group shows, there’s often a temptation to comb through the exhibition catalogue in a bid to grasp every detail. But, at times, put the book aside and stumble upon unexpected gems, like Linda-Philomène Tsoungui’s commissioned audio-visual work, which asks: “If they showed my bones in a museum, would you go see them?” A rich selection full of weighty delights. ★★★★☆
- Forgive Us Our Trespasses, through Dec 8, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, Mitte, details.
