Robotron Exhibition Explores DDR Industrial History and Technological Progress at HMKV Dortmund
Curated by Inke Arns from the Hartware Medienkunstverein (HMKV), the exhibition 'Robotron – Arbeiterklasse und Intelligenz' delves into the industrial past of the German Democratic Republic through the lens of 20 artists. Previously displayed at the Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst (GfZK) in Leipzig until mid-February under the title 'Code und Utopie,' it features works by Jan Wenzel and Sabine Weier. A standout piece is Werner Tübke's 1973 artwork 'Arbeiterklasse und Intelligenz.' The exhibition showcases both DDR-era creations and contemporary works, tackling issues of deindustrialization and access to technology, with contributions from artists like Ruth Wolf-Rehfeldt, A.R. Penck, and Karl Heinz Adler, highlighting East-West collaboration pertinent to the Ruhr region.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Robotron – Arbeiterklasse und Intelligenz' explores DDR industrial history and technology.
- Curated by Inke Arns (HMKV), Franciska Zólyom (GfZK), Jan Wenzel (Spector Books), Sabine Weier (GfZK).
- Features 20 artistic positions including photography, film, video, sculpture, and graphic works.
- Previously shown at Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst (GfZK) in Leipzig until mid-February.
- Centers on Werner Tübke's 1973 monumental painting 'Arbeiterklasse und Intelligenz,' commissioned by the SED.
- Includes DDR-era artists: Ruth Wolf-Rehfeldt, Karl Heinz Adler, Horst Bartnig, A.R. Penck.
- Contemporary works by Tina Bara, Francis Hunger, Nadja Buttendorf, Antye Guenther, Su Yu Hsin, knowbotiq.
- Addresses themes of deindustrialization, technology access, economic espionage, and digital resource consumption.
Entities
Artists
- Inke Arns
- Franciska Zólyom
- Jan Wenzel
- Sabine Weier
- Werner Tübke
- Ruth Wolf-Rehfeldt
- Karl Heinz Adler
- Horst Bartnig
- A.R. Penck
- Tina Bara
- Francis Hunger
- Nadja Buttendorf
- Werner Hartmann
- Antye Guenther
- Su Yu Hsin
- Yvonne Wilhelm
- Christian Huebler
Institutions
- Hartware Medienkunstverein (HMKV)
- Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst (GfZK)
- Spector Books
- SED
- Toshiba
- Stasi
Locations
- Dortmund
- Germany
- Ruhrgebiet
- Leipzig