The exhibition at the openart Lausitz Biennale in Jamlitz focuses on empty spaces, neglect, and dereliction, but also on the associated opportunities to rethink these places, structures, and wounds.

Seven installations by artists from Germany, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Japan explore this history as well as conceivable future scenarios for the site.

Julia Lazarus (Berlin) addresses the palpable water shortage caused by the phase-out of coal in her video installation in the 150-square-meter temporary art hall and will engage in a discussion with guests and other experts as part of a panel discussion.

Christine Schulz (Garbolzum) is also presenting an installation in the temporary art hall alongside her. In her work, she explores the ambivalent nature of the image as both a reflection and a construction of reality.

Five works, developed specifically for these locations, can be found in the village’s outdoor space.

Bob Budd, from near London, presents an installation that is a lighthearted, playful parody of the German saying “Schaffe, schaffe, Häusle bauen …” (Work, work, build a little house…). Standard shovels are transformed into a real eye-catcher that will remain in the village after the exhibition ends.

Mio Okido (Japan, lives in Berlin) has focused on the grim history of Jamlitz. Six flags address the terror of the SS as well as the Soviet special camp that took over the site immediately after the fall of the Third Reich.

Victoria Gouzikovski from Bergen (Norway) is developing architectural accessories for various locations in Jamlitz. She is draping selected architectural structures in bright blue fabric.

Franziska Möbius from Leipzig is creating a new potential meeting place for the villagers and/or their guests on the former tank road using a ground installation—a linear composition made of traffic markings.

Anke Westermann from Berlin contrasts the village’s architecture with a luminous idea. Her house consists of light, which, with its minimalist design language, offers an exciting contrast to the surrounding space. Is this a vision of the future or a mental fragment of the past?

The exhibition at the openart Lausitz Biennale builds on the tradition of the previous exhibitions “Standort_Bestimmung” (2021), “Bestand und Fiktion” (2023), “On Disappearance” (2025), initiated and organized by brandung e. V. The art association has been active in Jamlitz since 2029 and, through its diverse program, demonstrates that art and culture can play an important role in fostering enriching exchange and tolerant coexistence among people, even outside major metropolitan areas.

As part of the open spaces, the successors to the former Jamlitz Artists’ Circle—now “Kunst und Kultur Jamlitz”—will present their work; they are members of the Association of European Artists’ Colonies and will shed light on Jamlitz’s history as an artists’ colony from its origins to the present day.

Guided tours to the artworks every Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m.
Starting point: “Alte BHG” temporary art gallery, Kastanienallee 2, 15868 Jamlitz

Organized in cooperation with brandung e. V. – Association for the Promotion of Art and Culture in the Dahme-Spree-Neiße Region

Co-curated by: Anna Grunemann