Unselfing

Considering the self as a continuous experience and distinct entity is an achievement of the human brain and at the same time serves culturally as an important basis for the individualism that dominates Western societies. This assumption is challenged by the influence of social developments and technical means such as social media, artificial intelligence and neuroscience. Questioning it through the means of “unselfing”, as suggested by the Irish philosopher Iris Murdoch (1919–1999) in the early 1970ies, can provide a guideline for contemporary challenges and enable a position of both artistic and personal resistance.

With newly developed performances, installations and interactive formats as well as videos and paintings, the exhibition explores the experience of self-dissolution: Possibilities of fluid identities, the death of one part of the self and the transformation of another, as well as feelings of empathy and oneness with the surrounding world—with humans or other species and nature. From mingled authorship and absorption in the collective, to physically and psychologically dissociating experiences through meditation, trance, pain or chemical substances, the exhibition seeks to outline a path and state of self-laterality, empathy and happiness.

Curated by Rebekka Seubert

PROGRAM

Free entrance to all events

THU 1 FEBRUARY, 6-7 PM
WORK IN PROGRESS
For members and patrons: preview of the exhibition and artist talk with Jessy Razafimandimby

SAT 3 FEBRUARY, 6 PM
OPENING
Welcome: Catherine Westerwelle (Vice Chairwoman)
Introduction: Rebekka Seubert (Artistic Director)
► Some of the artists are present.
► Followed by drinks at the Liquid Currency Bar by Zoe Williams.
PERFORMANCE
from 6 PM assume vivid astro focus: always vomit after formalities
DJ SET
from 9 PM Aa Sudd in cooperation with Atelier Amore, Dortmund

FRI 22 MARCH, 6 PM
CURATOR'S GUIDED TOUR

THU 25 APRIL, 7 PM
IN FOCUS Unselfing
GUIDED TOUR & LECTURE
Prof Dr Albert Newen (Professor of Philosophy of Mind, Ruhr University Bochum): Who am I? - Transformations of the self and memories of experiences of demarcation

SUN 5 MAY, 3-4 PM
INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP
Yuri Yefanov: Sounds of Hympendahl, specifically humans
With the artist Yuri Yefanov (*1990 in Zaporizhia), participants will experience how human communication finds its way even without fixed language conventions.

► The workshop addresses people of all ages and native languages.
► Please sign up: visit(ett)dortmunder-kunstverein.de
► Meeting point at the viaduct, Halde Hympendahl, Dortmund

SAT 11 MAY
PERFORMANCE DAY & EVENING
3 PM / 5 PM / 8 PM: Ja Jess - by the use of its displays
Zoe Williams & Guests: Algol Dissolved: blood, pain and seafoam
assume vivid astro focus: all videos are floating

SAT + SUN, 11 + 12 MAY, 12 AM-6 PM
KULTURMEILE

The exhibition is kindly supported by

The program is kindly supported by

Rahmenprogramm mit freundlicher Unterstützung von

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