Hamburg's new city curator brings a breath of fresh air to public art!

Hamburg's new city curator brings a breath of fresh air to public art!

There is a lot to admire in Hamburg when it comes to art in public spaces - and not just in the museums. Numerous works, often by well-known artists, can be found in the city and are waiting to be discovered. One example is the sculpture “The Reclining One” by Edgar Augustin, which was already on Stephansplatz in 1976 and offers access to the popular Planten un Blomen. Other works of art, such as the Bismarck statue in the Old Elbpark or the gold wall in the Veddel, also contribute to Hamburg's cultural landscape. However, many of these works of art often remain hidden, despite their cultural relevance. This is where the city of Hamburg is starting to increase the visibility of this art and get more people excited about the fascinating world of public space.

To achieve this, Hamburg created the office of city curator. This position is currently held by the Polish curator Joanna Warsza, who is dedicated to stimulating discussion about art in urban spaces. Dr. Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media, emphasizes that Warsza not only has extensive international experience, but also shows a keen interest in the political and social significance of art. Their commitment to promoting artistic projects that also take social aspects into account is intended to enrich Hamburg and strengthen its connection to the city's society. During her five-year term, Warsza plans to provide impulses and advance the understanding of art with various exhibitions, such as her first entitled “From the Cosmos to the Commons” in the city park.

Art and society in dialogue

This initiative is more than just a creative approach; it also reflects the social challenges and issues of our time. Joanna Warsza emphasizes that art is of great importance in political times to overcome isolation and division. “Art is not only an expression of creativity, but also a powerful tool to move minds and connect communities,” she says. The jury that appointed Warsza to this position agreed on her vision and competence, namely to continue the work of her predecessors Sophie Goltz and Dirck Möllmann and to keep the program, which has history, alive.

One of the central goals of the city curator program is the integration of art into the cityscape and the everyday lives of its citizens. This also strengthens the principle of the Art in Public Spaces Association, which deals with the acceptance and promotion of contemporary art and promotes a dialogue between art and urban design. Art should not only be perceived as a decorative element, but also as a critical medium that addresses and reflects social issues.

The topic of art in public spaces is also discussed weekly in the Elbvertiefung podcast, which is moderated by Florian Zinnecker and Oskar Piegsa. Here the listeners learn not only about the work of the city curator, but also about the history and challenges associated with these works of art. In this way, awareness of the importance of art in urban spaces is heightened and a lively exchange about culture and society is created.

Joanna Warsza has her hands full in Hamburg's colorful cultural landscape. Their goal of making public art more visible couldn't be more fitting in a city so rich in creative expression. It will be exciting to see how her work and the discussions she initiates will develop. Who knows, maybe you'll discover the next hidden work of art while walking through the city!