Preview

Friendship

08/20/2026–01/10/2027

Friendship as a relationship emphasizes commonalities. It emphasizes affinity – kindred spirits, similarity and attraction – a force at an atomic level. Current social discourse often revolves around that which individualizes, isolates and separates us from one another as human beings. Friendship is an invitation to defy this tendency and to focus on the relationships we form in everyday life: with neighbors, club and band members, work colleagues, schoolmates and family members. Friendships grow precisely in the midst of these relationships and draw attention to shared experiences. In doing so, they often transcend established categories such as age, gender, class, religion and geography. This does not mean that there are no differences between friends, but rather that they consciously choose to focus on their similarities. What draws us to each other? What connects us?

Visual artists explore friendship as a place of tension, strength and creativity. They also examine the power relations and conflicts that accompany interpersonal relationships. The expression is often playful and humorous, while existential questions remain at the center – questions about what defines us as human beings and what connects us to a wider social network. In close collaboration with the artists, we establish spaces for visitors to question, experience and enjoy friendship.