Artists and experts examine our addiction-led unwillingness to recognize our dependence on fossil fuels.

January 10 –  March 6, 2020, Fridays 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Exhibition, dialogues, workshop, workshop discussion
Fine art prints, videos, installations, collage, painting, objects

Night and Day, Jörn Birkholz, Stephan Groß

The exploitation of fossil fuels has allowed us the dream of flying, the freedom of the open road, a consume-craze, a plastic wonderland, and a comfortable warm apartment. Our use of petroleum, heating oil, natural gas can also be seen as a drug problem.

We use this state-sanctioned fossil drug with all its side effects of CO2 and environmental destruction. Coming clean from this drug causes withdrawal symptoms and all the irrationalities that go along with them. One need only look at the reader’s comments about ideas for a speed limit of 30km/h in the city or 130km/h on the highway. A recognition of the disease is lacking – rational reasoning gives way to addiction-led blindness.

Tom Albrecht – Addiction Trap, (2019) rat trap, SUV model car, velvet, 25 x 10 x 10 cmPeople can escape the Addition Trap if they leave their SUVs on the parking lot.

Jörn Birkholz, Stephan Groß – Night and Day, (2019) photomontage, digital print, 40 x 40 cm framedIn their photo collage, Jörn Birkholz and Stephan Groß show how fossil addiction arises from the pull of convenience.

Marina Camargo – Brazil. Extractivism, (2017) video 10:14 minIn this video, the artist erases a map of Brazil, her homeland.

Maria Korporal – Good Trip, Bad Trip, (2019) experimental video and animation, 4:25 minIn her video, a car ride turns into the drug trip of an addict.

Maria Korporal – Good Trip, Bad Trip, (2019) experimental video and animation, 4:25 minIn her video, a car ride turns into the drug trip of an addict.

Fossil AddictionWorks from Christoph Medicus, Merav Leibkuechler, Steph Marx

Merav Leibkuechler – Claustromania-2, (2016) acrylic on canvas, 100 x 150 cmThe sweet dream of our desires for comfort that the red hellfire of the energy industry stills with blood.

Fossil AddictionWorks from Jörn Birkholz/Stephan Groß, Steph Marx

Steph Marx – Fireworks, (2019) fireworks battery, wire, styrofoam, acrylic, earplugs, 50 x 36 x 36 cmSteph Marx sees in the fireworks on New Year’s Eve the same consumption intoxication of our throwaway culture.

Fossil AddictionWorks from Christoph Medicus und Merav Liebkuechler

Christoph Medicus, – Oil of yours can come and go (hug, suck, fuck, tuck, plug,…) yourselfs. (Schwarzgold), (since 2014) found plastic objects, wood, oil pastel color, various sizesOil droplets rise from the found plastic objects in Christoph Medicus' works; in three spots in the exhibition.

Christoph Medicus, – Oil of yours can come and go (hug, suck, fuck, tuck, plug,…) yourselfs. (Schwarzgold), (since 2014) found plastic objects, wood, oil pastel color, various sizesOil droplets rise from the found plastic objects in Christoph Medicus' works; in three spots in the exhibition.

Christoph Medicus, – Oil of yours can come and go (hug, suck, fuck, tuck, plug,…) yourselfs. (Schwarzgold), (since 2014) found plastic objects, wood, oil pastel color, various sizesOil droplets rise from the found plastic objects in Christoph Medicus' works; in three spots in the exhibition.

Fossil AddictionWorks from Merav Leibkuechler und Jasmin Odendahl

Jasmin Odendahl – Benzin & Diesel, (2019) fine art prints, (2x) 50 x 70 cm, framedIn her two fine art prints, the artist writes the abbreviations to the hazard and safety instructions from petrol and diesel for people and the environment.

Katja Struif – make fake place, (2019) video, 7:22 minFormer livable places are transformed into deserts as a result of economic and military wars for raw materials.

Katja Struif – make fake place, (2019) video, 7:22 minFormer livable places are transformed into deserts as a result of economic and military wars for raw materials.

Fossil AddictionWorks from Tom Albrecht, Christoph Medicus

Deatailed text: What is fossil addiction?

Dining table. Foto: M. Schnauss

Men with oil tanks. Foto: Tom Albrecht

Artists show their critical contributions to “Fossil Addiction”

How do artists see our fossil addiction and its therapy? How do we recognize the addiction? Where does it show itself? How could withdrawal therapy for citizens and the state look? We would like to explore answers to these questions.

Tom Albrecht, Jörn Birkholz, Stephan Groß, Marina Camargo, Maria Korporal, Merav Leibkuechler, Steph Marx, Christoph Medicus, Jasmin Odendahl, Katja Struif

Fossil Addiction Program

Christoph Medicus with visitor in front of a picture by Merav Leibküchler. Foto: T.A.

Vernissage

Friday, January 10, 2020, 7 p.m.

Exhibition Friday, January 17.1., 5-8 p.m.:

The Artist Steph Marx is present

Artists’ Talk  Friday, January 24, 7 p.m.

Artists of the exhibition present their works to the guests.

Workshop Talk  Friday, January 31, 7 p.m.

with the addiction specialists
Prof. Dr. med. Tom Bschor, chief physician of the Schlossparkklinik and
Prof. Dr. Hermann E. Ott, ClientEarth – Lawyers of the Earth, former climate researcher at the Wuppertal Institute:
“How do we recognize the addiction to fossil fuels among citizens and the state?
Is there a recognition of the disease?
What could withdrawal therapy look like for citizens and the state?”
The two experts discuss answers and solutions in a public discussion. Moderated by Tom Albrecht

Results see german site.

Second Workshop How can artists reduce their ecological footprint?

Friday, February 7,  7 p.m.   The topic is their everyday practice, the choice of their materials, their travel and transport. Moderation by Tom Albrecht (in German).

Results see german site.

Exhibition Friday, February 14, 5-8 p.m.

The Artist Marina Camargo is present.

Exhibition Friday, February 21, 5-8 p.m.

The Artist Maria Korporal is present.

Exhibition Friday, February 28, 5-8 p.m.

Finissage Friday, March 6,  7 p.m. Round Table “Fossil Addiction”

Guests and members of GG3 will talk about the effects of the exhibition, their findings and the outlook. Presentation of a mind map of the workshop conversation. Talk in german.
Exhibition from 5 p.m.