VIDEONALE.19

March 31 to May 14, 2023 | Kunstmuseum Bonn

VIDEONALE.19 took place in its 19th edition with an exhibition of 27 video artworks at Kunstmuseum Bonn and a diverse program in the midst of the exhibition and at satellites in the urban area of Bonn.

Each of the 27 works opened a new window onto the multifaceted spectrum and diverse themes of contemporary productions from the field of video art and the moving image: Together with the artists, we looked at the power imbalance between the Global North and Global South and cast a view on the effects of this imbalance on nature and humans from different—often times indigenous—perspectives. Via the stages of performative mise-en-scènes, we entered into the worlds of queer notions of the body that not only give an account of the difficult path to finding one’s identity in a heteronormative environment, but at the same time relate the search for new, autonomous forms of community. We tuned in to the stream of selfie formats and listened to autobiographical stories of experiencing discrimination and everyday racism. We experienced how art and culture cut their way through the cracks in the walls of censorship and how the struggle for freedom of speech is resolutely and permanently inscribed in public urban space—always and at all times present for everyone. When we then wind up in an elevator somewhere between a mine 120 meters below ground level and the 32nd floor of a real estate investment, we have arrived in a reality that in all its fragility needs to be viewed in a new manner here today.

New ways in the exhibition
The VIDEONALE.19 was interested in creating new contact zones between the works and the public and inviting visitors to engage intensively with the works. For the exhibition, therefore, there was a desire to lower barriers on the one hand and to increase the quality of the stay on the other.
For the first time, the exhibition was complemented by two new locations: the Videonale Circus and the Place of Tranquility. While the latter offered a momentary retreat from visual overflow, the Videonale Circus amidst the exhibition was an invitation to engage in conversation. Surrounded by five artistic works and a protective skin, viewers could either sit or lie down, let the mind wander or come together for a conversation, read, or delve more deeply into the different artistic positions via short video formats on our online platform Videonale X.

Moreover, the Circus was one of our central venues: For the purpose of events, a screen encouraged to »pull« individual works from the exhibition, as well as to view and discuss them with others. For more accessibility in the exhibition, we especially lowered barriers of mobility and understanding. Seating for different needs was available, you could bring your own headphones and we have subtitled a large number of the videos in German for the first time.