Cologne 6 — 16 OCT 2024

ON PLINY’S PATHS
The Cologne-Tunis Artist Exchange Program

6 — 16 OCT 2024
Artists’ Residence in Cologne

10 — 13 OCT 2024 6:00 PM — 10:00 PM
Public Exhibition | Atelierhaus Alteburger Wall Köln-Süd

In the footsteps of an ancient Roman wanderer, the Cologne-Tunis Artist Exchange Program, aptly named “ON PLINY’S PATHS,” brings together artists, curators, and art mediators from two cities steeped in history. This year’s initiative celebrates the 60th anniversary of the twinning between Cologne and Tunis, a partnership forged in 1964 that continues in times of conflict, crisis, and war to become a beacon of growing friendship, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding.

The program allows artists from both cities to immerse themselves in each other’s rich cultural landscapes. This shared experience encourages the development of new project ideas. In Cologne, the Atelierhaus Alteburger Wall in Cologne-South serves as a primary venue, displaying installations and performances that reinterpret Pliny’s “Naturalis Historia” through a contemporary lens.

Inspired by Pliny the Elder’s travels and research for his encyclopedic “Naturalis Historia,” this program encourages artistic practices in dialogue with natural and cultural heritage. Through shared discussions and experiences interwoven with artistic research, experimentation, and practice, it creates meaningful connections between communities across continents, cultures, and beliefs. As part of the exhibition programs, the artists provide insights into exchange, discussion and working methods.

This program revives Pliny’s exploratory spirit, encouraging artists to delve into the rich tapestry of Cologne and Tunis’s natural and cultural heritage. It strives to produce innovative artworks that reflect the unique perspectives of both cities. The program encompasses roundtables and workshops open to artists, curators, critics, art mediators, and cultural institutions from both cities. These discussions cover various topics, including current developments in light and media art, public art, and sustainable artistic practices.

In an era of polarizing public debates, ON PLINY’S PATHS offers a counterpoint by creating spaces for productive encounters, nurturing solutions through discourse, and advocating for intercultural exchange. It models how art can transcend geographical distances and create meaningful links. ON PLINY’S PATHS seeks to strengthen cultural ties between Cologne and Tunis, enhance understanding of diverse artistic practices, and create a lasting network of artists and cultural institutions. By doing so, ON PLINY’S PATHS not only honors the past but also paves the way for a future of continued artistic collaboration and mutual understanding between these two historic cities.

ARTISTS