TIES, TALES AND TRACES
Dedicated to Frank Wagner,
Independent Curator (1958–2016)
9 February – 5 May 19
Opening: 8 February 19, 7 pm
Venue: KW Studio
Frank Wagner in the exhibition Félix González-Torres (1957–1996), RealismusStudio / nGbK Berlin, 1996, photo: Jürgen Henschel
The exhibition TIES, TALES AND TRACES commemorates the work of curator Frank Wagner, who died in 2016. Wagner gained a reputation for his groundbreaking and internationally acclaimed exhibitions on critical art, AIDS, gender, and LGBTQI* topics. Wagner, who described himself as Independent Curator, often brought artists to Berlin before their international breakthrough and supported the realization of their projects with remarkable commitment. With the exhibition Close to the Knives – A Memoir of Disintegration. Ein Gedenkraum für David Wojnarowicz at KW in 1992/93, Wagner commemorated the oeuvre of David Wojnarowicz, who died of AIDS in 1992 and whose work he exhibited multiple times. Through his cross-institutional projects and his negotiating skills, Wagner was a respected and tireless agent of the Berlin art and cultural scene, succeeding in promoting and connecting protagonists with the most disparate approaches. His independent, project-based activities allowed him to remain flexible as a curator, but also brought him a life of financial uncertainty. Nevertheless, Frank Wagner succeeded in resolutely pursuing his political examination of social relations, everyday violence, racism, colonialism, fascism, homophobia, and marginalized sexuality with sensitive radicalism. Through art and his own experimental curatorial approach, he provoked uncomfortable conversations and tried to address people beyond the art world. He took on a pioneering role with early exhibitions on political discourses of the body, gender issues, sexuality, and AIDS, giving new dimensions to the politicization of the private sphere.
The exhibition at KW is primarily based on art works and documents from the estate of Frank Wagner. It commemorates his curatorial work in a broader context while giving an insight into his complex work.
TIES, TALES AND TRACES. Dedicated to Frank Wagner, Independent Curator (1958–2016) is an exhibition by the KW Institute for Contemporary Art, curated by the RealismusStudio of the neue Gesellschaft für bildende Kunst (nGbK) in collaboration with Between Bridges. The RealismusStudio consists of Christin Lahr, Isabelle Meiffert, Ulrike Riebel, Vincent Schier, and Susanne Weiß. The complementary exhibition at the project space Between Bridges will be curated by Wolfgang Tillmans and Eugen Ivan Bergmann (February 1–March 16, 2019).
Public Programm
Curators’ tour with Christin Lahr and Vincent Schier
17 February 19, 3 pm
28 February 19, 7 pm
11 April 19, 7 pm (In English and German)
28 April 19, 3 pm
In German
Guided tours with former companions
3 March 19, 3 pm, with Michaela Richter (Head of Communication and Art Education n.b.k, Curator)
14 March 19, 7 pm, with Léon Kruijswijk (Curatorial Fellow KW, Freelance Curator)
17 March 19, 3 pm, with Isabelle Meiffert (Curator and Writer)
28 March 19, 7 pm, with Detlev Pusch (Book Editor)
31 March 19, 3 pm, with Çağla Ilk (Architect, Curator Maxim Gorki Theater)
14 April 19, 3 pm, with Susanne Weiß (Curator and Art Education)
25 April 19, 7 pm, with Ingo Taubhorn (Curator, Haus der Photografie, Deichtorhallen, Hamburg)
5 May 19, 3 pm, with Christin Lahr (Curator, RealismusStudio of nGbK)
5 May 19, 4 pm, with Beate Geissler (Artist)
Symposia
Symposium with Leonie Baumann, Monica Bonvicini, Pola Sieverding, Wolfgang Tillmans, Ingrid Wagner, Claudia Wahjudi, and others
23 February 19, 1–7 pm
Venue: KW Studio
WAS BLEIBT? / WHAT REMAINS…?
How to approach a curatorial legacy and estate?
Symposium with Beatrice von Bismarck, Claire Grace, Dr. Martin Heller, Egidio Marzona, Dr. Peter Rehberg, and others
13 April 19, 2–7 pm
Venue: KW Studio
Symposium with Dr. Julia Friedrich, Krist Gruijthuijsen, Lyle Ashton Harris, Peter Knoch, Christin Lahr, Cathrin Mayer, Bjørn Melhus, and Eran Schaerf
4 May 19, 2–7 pm
Venue: KW Studio
TIES, TALES AND TRACES. Dedicated to Frank Wagner
Concert by Shambhu Leroux, Singer, Berlin Queen of the Underworld, followed by Chats, Drinks & MUSIK / SPUREN with music of the exhibition Das Achte Feld, selected by Thomas Meinecke and Frank Wagner
4 May 19, 7 pm
Venue: Café Bravo
Finissage
CHATS & DRINKS at Stonewall-Inn with Peter Knoch
5 May 19, 5–7 pm
Venue: KW Studio
The exhibition TIES, TALES AND TRACES. Dedicated to Frank Wagner, Independent Curator (1958–2016) is part of the project David Wojnarowicz, Reza Abdoh, Frank Wagner and funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Europe, Berlin.
Media partner: SIEGESSÄULE
