Histories of our Time II On collective and personal narratives1.4.–14.6.2019Kunsthaus Baselland (CH)

In a recent interview the American philosopher Martha Nussbaum advocated for more justice in our society, one marked by hate, envy, injustice and egotism, yet also by ignorance and a lack of
broad education. She sees a key to greater international justice in strengthening one’s own emotions in relation to controversial topics. According to Nussbaum, this emotional openness is
created through an engagement with art, among other things.
The exhibition thus unites, on one hand, the major topics of our time, from Brexit to Trump, the distribution of power, migration, surveillance, gender (in)equality, moving personal biographies, to our approach to the world and foreign cultures, etc. On the other hand, the artists exhibiting show us a way through these major, pressing issues; a sensual, emotional entry point can be found to these issues that can help define one’s own attitude. The goal of the exhibition is not a comprehensive survey of such topics but rather the possibility of a precise artistic perspective on some selected subjects of great importance to the artists, or an opportunity, given one’s own background and biography, to challenge, contextualise and position oneself.
With works by: Maja Bajević, Sabine Hertig, Cécile Hummel, William E E. Jones, Zoe Leonard, Hanne Lippard, Anna Molska, Anna Ostoya, Dorian Sari, Katja Schenker, Jonas Staal, Piotr Uklański, Artur Żmijewski