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Art project Democracies in Danger opens in Graz
On November 5, 2024, Graz opened the art project “Democracies in Danger”. Nine artists will address the threats to democratic values in public spaces until December 10th.
Art project Democracies in Danger opens in Graz
On November 5, 2024, the art project “Democracies in Danger” opened its doors at Europaplatz, directly in front of the main train station in Graz. This day was not chosen by chance, as it falls on the day of the US elections, a time that symbolizes the fragility of democratic values. The curators Maryam Mohammadi and Eva Origin, together with the Institute for Art in Public Spaces Styria and the XENOS association, launched this important project to draw attention to the challenges of democracy.
Until December 10th, visitors to Graz can admire the works of nine artists from different parts of the world. These art interventions are distributed throughout the city and invite us to reflect on the current threats to democracy. Europaplatz in particular, which evokes historical memories of the February battles of 1934, offers a suitable setting for the exhibition.
The meaning of the art project
The works of art vividly show the threat to basic democratic values such as the rule of law and transparency. “Democracy is increasingly being abused and its deep-rooted principles are in danger,” explains one of the curators. Against the background of increasing authoritarianism, it is particularly important to promote public discourse and critical debate. The project not only offers art, but is accompanied by a discursive program. In this way, visitors can be actively invited to think and discuss.
Diversity of artists
The participants include well-known Austrian artists such as Franz Kapfer and Doris Jauk-Hinz as well as international talents, for example Zoncy Heavenly from Myanmar and Consuelo Mendez from Venezuela. Her creative contributions span various art forms, from murals to mixed media projects to installations. This diversity is reflected in the places where the works of art are exhibited, including the Kunsthaus Graz and the Graz Museum.
This innovative initiative highlights the urgency of the topic: “We live in times in which human rights and democratic foundations are often questioned,” say the curators. The exhibition will be on display until International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2024 and encourages visitors to reflect on the relevance and challenges of the democratic system.
For more information about this important art project, see the current reporting on www.5min.at.