ART IS NOT AN END IN ITSELF
In dialogue with the constructivist Asja Lācis

Curated by Konstanze Schmitt and Mimmi Woisnitza

Exhibition – Discourse – Performance

11.4.-28.6.2026

Art is not an end in itself connects the avant-garde practices of Latvian theater maker, educator, and revolutionary Asja Lācis with contemporary artistic, scientific, and activist perspectives. A rich program of discoursive and performative events and workshops will bring the exhibition to life during its course.

 Artistic positions in space Chto Delat, Cinéma Copains, Contra Filé, Alice Creischer, Zhenya Efros, Inga Gaile, Anton Kats, Kollektiv Lauratibor, Karlheinz Mund, Mirja Reuter & Florian Gass, Elske Rosenfeld & Olia Sosnovskaya, Konstanze Schmitt, Luise Schröder, Andreas Siekmann, Theater o.N.

Performances Anna Stiede mit Panzerkreuzer Rotkäppchen, Bühnen zu Baustellen | Baustellen zu Bühnen, Christian Filips & Margarita Breitkreiz, Lauratibor Kiezchor, Meckerchor

Lectures & workshops Inga Gaile, Federico Geller, Tatjana Hofmann, Susan Ingram, Ewa Majewska, Olga Martynova, Luise Meier, Simone Niehoff, Beata Paškevica, Florian Thamer & Tina Turnheimu.a.

 Film program Krista Burāne, Payal Kapadia, Yulia Lokshina, Karlheinz Mund, Erwin Piscator, Marta Popivoda

 Scenography Philine Rinnert Graphic design Studio Rada B.

On the last weekend of the exhibition, we will bring together artistic and activist positions from the exhibition and beyond for an exchange. Actors from different parts of the world will come together to learn and work together on the topics of children's theater and interventions in public space.

June 25, Thursday
4–8 p.m. Proletarian Children's Theater
Workshop with Florian Gass, Federico Geller, Mirja Reuter, and others (German/English)

June 26, Friday
11 a.m.–2 p.m. Making Art with the City
Panel with Contra Filé, Kollektiv Lauratibor, Theater o.N., Theater X (German/English)

3–6 p.m. The Kids are Outside
Open workshop (German/English) with Contra Filé, Florian Gass, Federico Geller, Mirja Reuter (German/English), Location: Temporary play street Naunynstraße

8:30 p.m. Aufstand der Fischer (Revolt of the Fishermen)
Film and performance based on Erwin Piscator by Margarita Breitkreiz & Christian Filips, Freiluftkino Kreuzberg (open-air cinema) (admission €7.50)

June 27, Saturday
1–5 p.m. Complaining with the Meckerchor
Participatory performance in public space and public transport (German)