Vernissage (In)Visi­bility of Vio­lence

Opening of the exhibition at KUNSTHALLE GIESSEN in collaboration with TraCe

► To the event report

Wars, omni­present in the me­dia, shape our visual ha­bits and domi­nate public percep­tion. In addition to visi­ble forms of vio­lence, such as the destruc­tion of buil­dings and cul­tural sites, images of civilian casual­ties, or pictures of displaced persons and refu­gees, the exhi­bition also addresses the in­visible dimen­sions of vio­lence. Struc­tural, psychological, and gender-based vio­lence, parti­cularly against wo­men and mino­rities, as well as the resul­ting trau­mas, often re­main hidden. Ideo­logical and religious ha­tred, passed down through gene­rations and dis­proportionately affec­ting women, is often de­liberately suppressed. Shame and socie­tal stigma­tization often pro­tect the perpe­trators, while the conse­quences for those affec­ted are pro­found and long-lasting. 

The exhi­bition will open on Au­gust 22 at the KUNST­HALLE GIESSEN.

When? Friday, Au­gust 22, 2025, 7 p.m. 

Where? KUNST­HALLE GIESSEN, Ber­liner Platz 1, 35390 Gießen

Program

Welcome

  • Frank-Tilo Becher, Mayor of the City of Gießen
  • Jonas Wolff, TraCe PI, Member of Directorate and Co-Speaker / PRIF

Introduction by the Curators

  • Nadia Ismail, Director of KUNSTHALLE GIESSEN
  • Larissa Fuhrmann, TraCe Associate Researcher / PRIF
  • Theresa Deichert, Assistant Curator at KUNSTHALLE GIESSEN

Entry is free of charge. More infor­mation can be found on KUNSTHALLE GIESSEN’s website.

KUNSTHALLE GIESSEN is an insti­tution for contempo­rary art in the city of Giessen, lo­cated in central Hessen. As a space dedi­cated to temporary exhi­bitions without a perma­nent collection, it pre­sents current trends and posi­tions in contempo­rary art across approxi­mately 450 square meters. It is a place for ex­change and freedom of ex­pression, engaging with current global events from an inter­disciplinary perspective. A parti­cular focus is placed on trans­disciplinary net­working and colla­borations. The Kunsthalle is committed to fos­tering engage­ment with contempo­rary art, offering diverse forms of me­diation, and addressing rele­vant social dis­courses.