The Essence of Memory and Control: An Interdisciplinary Journey at Kunsthalle Winterthur

Time passes. “Memory fades, memory adjusts, memory conforms to what we think we remember,” wrote Joan Didion. This reflection perfectly encapsulates the essence of the exhibition at Kunsthalle Winterthur, Script-Memory, where the artworks delve into the dynamics of memory, control, and human connection.

Upon entering Kunsthalle Winterthur, one is immediately struck by the minimalist arrangement and the clarity of the displayed works. This setup draws visitors into an atmosphere that exudes both calm and a certain formal severity. The exhibition explores the role of rules and rituals in social life, challenging the notion of a controlled and scripted existence. Kunsthalle Winterthur offers a bright and spacious layout, allowing the artworks to breathe. The pieces are placed on simple, aesthetically pleasing wooden structures that highlight the content and significance of the works without being overly dominant. This setting creates a contemplative atmosphere where visitors can move freely and observe each piece in tranquility.

SCRIPT – MEMORY, Kunsthalle Winterthur, 2024. Foto: Cedric Mussano
SCRIPT – MEMORY, Kunsthalle Winterthur, 2024. Foto: Cedric Mussano

The exhibition features a variety of media, including video projections, photographs, textual works, and installations. The techniques used are diverse, demonstrating an experimental and interdisciplinary approach. By involving family, friends, and acquaintances in their works, the artists move away from the traditional narrative of the solitary artist to embrace an approach that emphasizes interdependence and community. Their works become not only individual expressions but also interconnected collective reflections that question and redefine the concepts of identity and relationship. This ongoing dialogue between the personal and the collective, between control and surrender, enriches the exhibition experience and invites visitors to consider the complexity of human connections.

 

SCRIPT – MEMORY, Kunsthalle Winterthur, 2024. Foto: Cedric Mussano
Jordan Lord, I Can Hear My Mother’s Voice, mit Deborah Lord, 2018.

The video installations, projected onto simple white walls, invite viewers to immerse themselves in the subtle and often poetic imagery. The photographs and textual works are carefully arranged on the walls, prompting visitors to reflect on the scenes and messages depicted. The combination of these diverse media creates a dynamic and layered experience. The alternating works create spaces for misunderstandings and new understandings, inviting reflection on one’s role in the social fabric. The accompanying images clearly illustrate the textual descriptions and reinforce the visual and emotional impact of the exhibition. Overall, the exhibition offers a profound and moving exploration of the themes of control, memory, and community.

In a broader socio-political context, the exhibition raises important questions about how we create and maintain relationships. The works emphasize the need for participation and invite a reevaluation of the dynamics between the individual and the community.

Jordan Lord, I Can Hear My Mother’s Voice, with Deborah Lord, 2018.
Niklas Taleb, Reverse Psychology, 2020, in SCRIPT – MEMORY, Kunsthalle Winterthur, 2024. Foto: Cedric Mussano
Tiphanie Kim Mall, Schwester, 2021, in SCRIPT – MEMORY, Kunsthalle Winterthur, 2024. Foto: Cedric Mussano
Tiphanie Kim Mall, Schwester, 2021

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