HfK exhibition in the Alte Pathologie Bremen

The exhibition "Studies of Change" shows works by 26 artists from the University of the Arts (HfK) Bremen. In their works, they combine art with technological, social, ecological and political issues. The exhibition will take place in the Alte Pathologie Am Schwarzen Meer from May 29th to June 2nd, 2024. A place that is itself in a state of flux. Admission is free.

For over 100 years, death was omnipresent in the Alte Pathologie (old pathology) Am Schwarzen Meer – until the doors were closed in 2022. AP Baustein Alpha GmbH (AP) bought the former morgue in March 2024 and plans to develop the building into a local centre. The working title ‘Villa Kunterbunt’ suggests plenty of space for creativity and culture.

A new neighbourhood is being created on the former site of the Bremen-Mitte Clinic, the Hulsberg district, whose development is inevitably linked to the future use of this special location. "Studies of Change" is the first exhibiton in the Alte Pathologie since its been sold.

"Our artistic impulses are intended to make a contribution to look at the Alte Pathologie from a different perspective. In this sense, the exhibition marks a step towards integrating the building into the urban fabric of the new Hulsberg district," said Slava Romanov, who is one of the exhibiting artists.

Romanov is a Master's student at the University of the Arts Bremen. The exhibited media artworks were developed as part of the Digital Media programme under the supervision of Professor Ralf Baecker. Robots powered through light, a mechanical orchestra that interprets real-time data from commodity stocks, explorations of the voice through physical and phenomenological investigations, as well as interrogations of embedded vectors in AI and speculations on time and computational are just a few examples of the works that are spectacularly placed in the seemingly empty building, which at the same time still bears the visible traces of its past.

"The place that was once driven by the study of life cycles, now nurtures the exploration of life as a whole within the framework oft he exhibition," said Romanov. At first, it may seem that there is little connection between the objects and the places they are situated. But if you take a closer look, you can recognise the connection. Everything is organically intertwined. "Just as life and death are inseparable, each work anticipates change as a difference between states. It is as if the process becomes the element that makes it possible to abandon interpretation in favour of perception," adds HfK-student Alevtina Senyk, who is also involved in the exhibition.

The project is supported by the University of the Arts Bremen, ZwischenZeitZentrale Bremen and Grundstücksentwicklung Klinikum Bremen-Mitte GmbH & Co.

Florian Kommer, Managing Director of GEG, on the significance of the HfK exhibition: 

"The artistic and intellectual engagement of the students with their work as well as the exhibition venue moves me in a special way. Change is visible not only in the pathology centre, but also in the entire new Hulsberg quarter urban development area – a change that can be very stressful and disturbing, a change that gives hope and that is sometimes also really beautiful. It's great that the pathology centre is being used as an exhibition venue!"

Daniel Schnier of ZwischenZeitZentrale:

"ZwischenZeitZentrale Bremen, known for its innovative approaches to the temporary use of abandoned spaces, is delighted to have this opportunity to breathe new life into the abandoned site of the Alte Pathologie. Even if the future of the building as a local centre is still uncertain, the exhibition (studies of CHANGE) offers a foretaste of the potential that lies dormant within its walls. 

Ideas are born, visions are sketched out, and the community senses that this place is more than just a relic of the past. The University of the Arts and its diverse students are creating a space here that will not only open the eyes of the viewers, but also the hearts of the residents. May this moment of art and inspiration be a harbinger of a future in which this place opens its doors wide to the neighbourhood community and becomes a true centre of life, creativity and democracy. We are looking forward to it with all our hearts! Thank you!"

• Timm Albers
• Zenobio de Almeida
• Ygor Anario
• Alina Bardavid
• Miguel Chaparro
• Youngji Cho
• Haram Choi
• Vanessa Ehmann
• Alberto Harres
• Clemens Hornemann
• Hsun Hsiang Hsu
• Uladzislau Karotki
• Sangbong Lee
• Ziyi Li
• Juan Luque
• Aleksandra Mitrovic
• Alethia Pinzón Rodríguez
• Milton Raggi
• Slava Romanov
• Nicolás Sánchez Noa
• Francesco Scheffczyk
• Rafael Soto Acebal
• Katja Striedelmeyer
• Julia Vollmer
• Donghan Wang
• Zhimin Wang
• Jiawen Yao

Venue:
Old Pathology,
Am Schwarzen Meer 134/136,
28205 Bremen

Transport connections:
Am Hulsberg railway station (tram 2, 10), wohninvest Weserstadion (tram 3), Friedrich-Karl-Straße (bus 25)

Opening hours:
Opening on 29 May, 6p.m.
4-8p.m. (30 & 31 May), 2.-8p.m. (1 & 2 June)

For more information, please visit the exhibition website.